The house on this corner has 2 walls underneath as well as the bracing seen here holding it up. 

Currently my methods to locate the property have been:- researching the APN of vacant land to locate owner information and try and contact the owner (Title Search);  - reach out to Commercial Lenders/Bankers; - contact city redevelopment; and now - the BP investment community for more productive method of finding the proper land, proper zoning, no soil contamination, title or right of way issues.I am at a bit of an road block and would appreciate any constructive ideas the BP community is willing to provide. 

In Laurel Canyon, there can be wild swings in value of land based on how "buildable" the lot is, how flat, soils conditions, etc...

Spend a day shampooing a soiled carpet and scrubbing out a stove or shower. 

That does not include old wood flooring underneath NOR the  cement board underlayment. 

Would it be a soil sample taken near the lake.  

Get a solid base underneath you and build from them.

Rima and I keep people out of trouble with the highly-regulated toxic and hazardous materials - asbestos, lead, VOCs, soil and groundwater contamination, plus indoor air quality and the almost unregulated mold.  

I get on my back underneath the vehicles with spray paint and fluid film. 

Dallas area is full of expansive soils.