You need to verify that the bottom of the foundation is below the frost line in your area, and that the freezing ground cannot lift any brick or masonry outside the house.

Laundry line was never connected to anything, it simply dumps onto the ground underneath the house.

There are business purpose lenders that will finance ground up construction, but they will be more particular about the location of the build especially since it will be on 5 acres.

if it was 25%, there is a lot of ground to be gained. if it was 50%, not so much.

China is natural resource poor and dependent on the rest of the world to fill that void, and with cheap labor drying up they will lose some ground on the manufacturing side. 

The minimum time that lenders like to see you living in a primary residence is at least 12 months (although there are exceptions to this rule on the grounds of “life altering events”). 

Chick Fil A's are often ground leases where rent is heavily below market.

Investing remotely is totally doable—you just need a solid team on the ground.

I also offer boots-on-the-ground services to others who need a local team member.

Often, those advantages are boots on the ground and market knowledge, which are the two things you have/are working on.I think, in general, you will find all those central Illinois areas provide decent cash flow with low appreciation - generally speaking.