You need boots on the ground to see who lists flips and who lists dumps.

However, one idea to consider is some "middle ground" for your investing...

Obviously you are on the ground, so you would know better. 

Here’s what I’ve seen work well:Furniture Purchase:If the furniture fits the vibe you’re going for and is in good shape, buying it can definitely help you hit the ground running.

Land already acquired and we're breaking ground in the Spring.

If the tenant hides something or lies and I discover it later, that is grounds for termination.

Good HML's in ground up or rehab will provide a very easy/handy way to request and distribute draws using something like Built, which we use and it gives our borrowers and our team a single source of truth for all things draw-related. 

I am thankful for all of the advice I've received on this platform and grateful for this community.

Spain where we were at you couldn’t build out in the country side unless you owned a lot of ground.  

Interested in getting some extra income with converting the extra space in the basement into a rentable unit.Basements in a one-family home can be lawfully rented only if the following conditions are met:Compliance with the Housing Maintenance Code for minimum room size.There is a minimum ceiling height of 7 ft.The walls, as high as ground level, must be damp- and water-proofed if HPD determines that subsoil conditions on the lot require it.The basement is occupied by one family and does not include boarders.Every room must have at least one window.The bottom of any yard or other required open space cannot be higher than six inches below the window sill of any required window in the room.