@Richard Bailey That's great I work in PG county and really need to learn about the local scene.  

I mean, every city's chamber of commerce site makes it sound like it's "experiencing a renaissance, an amazing rebirth, has a burgeoning start-up scene of high-growth tech companies", etc etcMy biggest fear is that I'll choose some small city in the Midwest and a year after I buy a property, the local plant will close and now no one can pay their rent :-/

I am new to the real estate investment scene and I am looking forward to learning a lot from all of you here on BiggerPockets.

So, for any specific cost/time frame estimates related to permitting, I generally look to one of my contacts who owns one of the larger construction management companies in SD and is very actively involved in that community/political scene.

I may be new to the scene but I am eager and determined to make this work. 

I may be new to the scene but I am determined and excited to jump in and build my business.  

Ask to speak to the manager in private, rather than make a scene in front of 10 other customers in line that might be satisfied with the price you are not happy with.  

Yes, I've watched the fixer upper shows on HGTV, but l realize there is so much more going on behind the scenes.

make scene. in my current situation.

Aloha, @James Moore - welcome to the Hawaii REI scene.