They had cleared it, put some gravel in of some sort, fenced it with barbed wire on top, manual gate on tracks and flood lights in the corners.

I suspect the banks that are best with real estate may not necessarily be the best fit for your other businesses.

Investors are likely seeing multiple offers on properties, and homes are selling relatively quickly.If you're considering investing in this area, it might be wise to act quickly when you find a property that fits your criteria.

Plus it would have to be a banger of a property for me to have that kind of confidence in it going the distance through all the market cycles, regulation changes, OTA market shifts etc at which point I may as well buy it.Which circles back to my original point- if I am not owning and benefiting from the appreciation, why should I absorb so much risk and upfront capital if instead I can find an underperforming property with potential, take a guaranteed return off the top and invest almost no money on my side? 

Quote from @Evan Bermudez: Go to GET STARTED > EVENTS AND MEETUPS at the top of your screen.

Go to BUILD YOUR TEAM at the top of the screen and look for local investors or meetups in your area.

Only you know which locations will fit with the lifestyle part of your objectives so you'd select the places that work for you first.2.

Closing real estate deals in any economy requires flexibility, adaptability, and a variety of strategic approaches. Here are several key strategies to help close deals, regardless of market conditions:
1. Understand ...

., so only you can decide what fits your budget and your lifestyle best.  

Go to BUILD YOUR TEAM at the top of the screen and look for local investors or meetups in your area.