I own the surrounding lot and was the second bidder.

We now have rentals and flips all over NE Florida and aren't so limited but that came with more experience and learning more about those surrounding areas.Would love to hear more about what you and your husband's goals are with investing!

check surrounding homes. 

We are looking at investment properties in Brooklyn, and found one we liked and want to add an additional floor (two stories as of now, would go to three), but the zoning is M1-2, which is commercial.  90% of surrounding properties are multifamily residential as well.

The property surrounded by a number of restaurants, and attractions.

Would you be able to give for information.Some question I might ask: Can you get access to the land or is it surrounded by other people property?

If you rehab a house in one of the neighborhoods you're considering will it be surrounded by other abandoned distressed properties or are these abandoned properties located in decent neighborhoods that people will want to live? 

Is the surrounding areas trending also with increased density?

Unfortunately, the further south I buy the more issues I come across due to the surrounding homes/theft occurrences with my rentals.

My thesis was that this would lead to increased investment in the surrounding neighborhood and home values would increase.