One metric they provide is new construction sales, which I can use to calculate % of total sales and see whether that value is trending up or down.My question is, in general is a market more or less desirable if there are a lot of new builds hitting the area? 

I understand the desire of some people to have paid off houses, but you need to remember it is never really “free & clear”.

Some will do but they tend to be far and few in between and the terms are not very desirable at all.Another options is to take down the properties with a bridge loan. 

Asset class, price point, distress vs turn key, cash flow expectations/desires, etc.

I don't have the time to study Bitcoin nor do I have the time or desire to study any individual company thus I invest my traditional retirement savings into low cost index funds.That being said, I do feel like I can study and become educated about my local residential real estate market and it is an interesting topic to me so that is where I spend my time, effort, and excess capital.Regarding, investment vs gambling. 

However, most lenders have no desire to deal with that which is why they work with experienced and proven investors they are confident will drive the project to its finish. 

The location and access to amenities make it a super desirable area so you need to keep an eye on inventory and competition.

Yeah I can see using the welcome aboard forums to pump up your comment numbers to make it look like they've been around a while before trying to sneak a pitch for some scam guru trash  I think warm welcomes are nice, but the carry more weight from people who have been around.

Even though interest rates and terms won't be as desirable as conventional, you'll have an easier time getting pre-approved.

From my experience, properties in Flood Zone A aren't always dealbreakers, especially when they're in desirable locations like lakefronts.