Just earlier this month we closed on our 2nd property a 3 family unit, if we lived the life that other 23yo couples and sailors live.... we wouldn't of have the 30% to put down on the 3unit.Now that we are at a new duty station, I have a new Harley (paid for) and my wife bought a new Mazda (paid for)...we were able to do this because of the money we saved/invested.My advice while you save....find a method that works for you( flip, buy/hold, wholesale).

A gas station use to be there and the tanks leaked?

I'm researching the process to develop a parcel of uncleared land to build a convenience store/gas station. the land is currently zoned AGR and there are about 150 homes north of the area. they have a minimum 15-20 minute commute to any type of store or gas station and the opposite of the street from this parcel is still vacant but zoned PUD. so what is all involved in the process to get something like this going?

Here in Las Vegas the price range is $3.67-3.79, some stations are higher.

I am currently active duty military and will be stationed here for the next 3-4 years.

Stay away from an overpriced market like Westchester - where, in addition to the high prices, you are going to have trouble exiting the property unless it's within a walkable distance of downtown/train station to Manhattan, according to my realtor friends up there.I would look instead to some of the markets to the north.  

As far as commuting, Iselin has the metropark which can get you to Penn Station in ~30 minutes.  

Speak with every neighbor, put a sticker or door-hanger on every distressed house, talk to everyone at the gas station when you're filling up your tank, send letters, throw signs.... the list is endless!

Lastly, before investing in any designated area, drive around for several days or weekends and speak to the locals, visit the local gas stations and see the demographics as well as traffic flow.

Station.