But the land we bought for our neighborhood development has been a gigantic learning curve regarding what the city council, architectural review board, department of environmental management, and other agencies will require you to comply with.

Any lead paint / asbestos / environmental issues?

We have a mobile home park under contract in North Carolina and are seeking referrals to an environmental attorney who can help us assess the risk associated with acquiring a park with a contaminated water well. 

Most lenders require a Phase 1 Environmental which is pricey.   

Insurance for each house and then some sort of umbrella policy should be enough.The problem with this theory is that insurance doesn't cover many of the risks that are popular with scumbag contingency lawyers and their loser clients, such as mold, lead paint, asbestos, other environmental hazards, etc.

We're currently waiting for the environmental to be done.

I originally went to law school to focus on environmental law, specifically in the area of commercial land development.

Chris I meant Clay pipes but different parts of the country used different things during different eras because of cost,availability,closeness to the area where constructing,soil conditions,etc.Either way in my mind a critical inspection is to scope the line all the way out to the street.Some plumbers only have a 25 ft camera and others have the big one that goes hundreds of feet which will reach out to almost all mains at the street before running out of camera line.On environmental stuff mentioned you sure can have situations where next door is a laundry facility or gas station that is now vacant.The contaminants leach over into your soil.Now the EPA is demanding you clean it up which becomes very,very expensive.What to look for comes with experience.I have found it is better that I learn from my plumbers and other professionals I use and they often share tips for free.Here in Georgia inspectors do not have to be licensed (it might have changed recently)but in the past they were not required to be.I have found I have more knowledge than many inspectors and all they do is charge a bunch of money and then refer you off to the people I have already learned from.My guys will take a look at it for free because they know it is future business I will be giving them.I just call them in if I have a question.

Due to environmental concerns, (nitrates, nitrites) and new developments that "don't want to be next to a trailer park" (although they built and bought next to your park) Health Departments in many municipalities are NOT renewing permits.  

Doing commercial deals requires a knowledge of the business, understanding financial statements, regulations, environmental concerns, construction aspects that are different than a stick built home.