If I did, I'd find a place I really like to visit and be prepared to spend a lot of time there making connections.  

I would spend time building your list of WHO (agent, mentor, contractor/handyman), then WHAT (house type, tenant base, work needed), then WHERE (location).

Based on the questions you are asking I think you need to spend more time listening to podcasts like Bigger Pockets and Bigger Pockets Rookie.

Apply for a dimensional variance on the vacant lot to allow a smaller lot and/or setback so it can be built upon.Your best first steps are to sketch a plan, possibly with an engineer's help, then contact the zoning department to discuss your idea with them to get informal feedback on your liklihood of success before you spend a lot of money.

But I get it in the lower value assets of the mid west and rust belt cities wholesalers dominate because they spend 100s of thousands in marketing for those type of assets..

But it just depends on your risk threshold and how much you're looking to spend.  

I also don’t have a problem spending the money to fight for this.

However, if you’re not ready to jump in yet, you could spend the next couple of years building your savings and learning more about real estate to feel more confident when the time comes.

Focus on tax-saving strategies such as cost segregation studies and bonus depreciation to accelerate deductions.By qualifying as a Real Estate Professional (spending 750+ hours annually and materially participating), you can offset your wife’s S-Corp income with real estate losses, reducing your tax liability.

I closed for both sides and had a chase them round for final signatures.Also might I add the property could be falling down, you basically have to send your staff out to take pictures and videos to send to them to get them to even budge on any price.These homes they have have been sitting a long long time and most cases they are on the city’s list of zombie homes and ready to be demolished, you won’t find that out with no title search and survey, you find that out the day your workers show up to work ready to get this thing back to livable to be met with more money spending ventures.Bottom line.