And minimize your exposure to loss.

Pragmatically speaking, I’d offer them half of the EM back. they owe something for wasting the seller's time .

If you change your mind or add something to the project that alters the timeline of that plan, it will cost you money.How can you minimize these occurrences?

They were all on the same block, so that cut down on wasted driving time. 

While I would avoid lagoons and waste water treatment plants, for sewage management options, the presence of water wells and/or septic systems should not be a deal killer, in my view, especially in light of the fact that the investors are bidding up prices for parks on municipal utilities.   

My time is too valuable to waste on buyers who have no respect for it.

@Paul Martinez I personally think that starting with a house hack is a great way to go as you will learn a lot during the process and there is minimal risk (If you run your numbers correctly of course).I looked on prices in your area so i can give this example: if you can put 3.5% down (FHA loan) and get a duplex for 500K and the rent covers 85% of your expenses (PITI) you already cut your monthly expenses by not paying over 2K a month in rent so you can save money in a higher rate while getting equity as the mortgage is getting paid. 

Hello,How to increase cash-flow: Find wastes and mitigate inefficiencies; With sub-metering water & sewer use drops by 25 to 35%.

They include but are not limited to the following: Contaminated soilProximity to a hazardous waste siteOil and gas wells located on the propertyHeavy trafficAirport noise and hazardsOther sources of excessive noiseProximity to something that could explode, such as a high-pressure petroleum lineProximity to high-voltage power linesProximity to a radio or TV transmission towerProperty AccessThe property must provide safe and adequate access for pedestrians and vehicles, and the street must have an all-weather surface so that emergency vehicles can access the property under any weather conditions.Structural SoundnessAny defective structural conditions and any other conditions that could lead to future structural damage must be remedied before the property can be sold.

How much time do you have available to you that you can waste it getting wishy washy result analysis...