I have found that I can make a countertop look just as nice using square pieces of granite that look like tile and turn them on a diamond angle.

Investors look at a lot of coal to find the diamonds.

And you're spot on -- central AC bids have been coming in very high because of the need to rent / operate heavy duty equipment (from what we've found researching so far, we'd need a diamond blade saw to get through the concrete floor). 

This is why I started looking on the Kansas side but if you find that diamond in the rough in those areas you referenced, I believe it will pay off in the long run.

It's usually better to own a dump in a diamond area then a nice looking property in an okay area.

It can be successful for some over time but is a big headache and a long and slow process where 1 step forward and 2 steps back.I like pieces of coal I can reshape into diamonds that are among other diamonds already.I hope the original poster has great success and it works out for him.  

@Karen Margrave  you would think.. but those that got burnt out have legal lots of record and can rebuild.. which is already starting to happen.. yes at least 20 of my friends lost their homes and all possessions and just barely got out with their lives.. and these are 5 to 15k sq ft homes with all the trappings of wealth that go along with it.. you need security to keep folks from rooting around looking for diamonds  etc.it was devastating I drove around the area last month ( my mom lives there)we are working on our Rohnert park property and Sonoma got hit even harder and no special favor.. still have to do our focused EIR.. but looks like we are going to get commercial on the bottom and 3 stories of apartments or condo's on top.. so it should be a pretty cool project.... like the article I have owned this since 1994....

I always use this analogy: would you tell a beginner skier who has zero experience to ski a double black diamond (the most advanced terrain) for their first run?

Grind all concrete with a diamond wheel, don't use the acid etch.  

A man who wanted to find diamonds so that he could sell them and feed his family forever.