In my neck of the woods it can up to six weeks for the initial inspection to take place.

In my neck of the woods, Hayward is known to have bad schools - whereas neighboring Castro Valley has good ones.

That is a different muscle to flex than being a landlord. 

There are licensed contractors out there who are willing to stick their necks out and can legally do so? 

@Tommy Simpson, you're singing my song - I have a particular interest (on the construction side) of doing just this... here in my neck of the woods however.Since it appears the lot may be large enough from a gross acreage standpoint, you need to figure out the net usable area (e.g., lot shape, topography, setbacks, min/max footprint size, areas that may not be suitable for building upon, etc.).  

Also, I'l be doing some of the non-permitted grunt work myself and could also benefit from a good handyman for some extra muscle.

I'm looking for buy and hold properties in the Bronx (Castle Hill, Throgs Neck, Wakefield, Parkchester areas).

Check out the Bronx, I live in Throggs neck, a great area.

Particularly in my neck of the woods (San Juan Islands.)

I'll be in your neck of the woods the first weekend in December visiting my Aunt in Pompano!