In my neck of the woods they would actually condemn the house and declare it unoccupiable, i.e., they would literally lock it down with huge sheets of plywood. 

I know of a few people in my neck of the woods who target FSBOs with mild to moderate success.  

@Julian SurielThere are some big-time investors in that neck of the woods doing interesting projects.

Like anything, it's not about the game it's about the practice so you have muscle memory to make the right decision in the game without thinking.If you look at anyone at the top of their field they have some type of coach and/or mentor, no brainer in my opinion.

Most of whatever is available only comes up to my neck.

The GTO might be considered the best muscle car ever built so yeah it's sad.

Big burly guys that drive jacked up 4x4s, smell like diesel fuel, chew tobacco for breakfast and have neck tats. 

I have custody of a disabled grandson who'd just had spinal fusion neck to bum. 

The only problem is that a fully improved property will be valued the same as the wreck neck door, because nobody who can afford a $150.000 mortgage with 3.5% down would willingly choose to live there.

Welcome to the Colorado market, coming from Oregon, and the west coast, you will find a lot of similarities to your neck of the woods out here.