Basically you can't have the yard be higher than 6 inches below the window sill (otherwise it would v difficult for people to exit out of this window in case of an emergency). 

Or I can make it a gravel lot, put up a fence, and call it boat and rv storage.

Best part is NJ is not what its made out to be in terms of landlord friendly, the state gets portrayed as the entire state being bad when really most wacky laws are in the major cities and they apply to 5 units or more.  2-4 unit multi families fly below radar per say. 

1) Research Zoning of similar property2) Do search with same zoning criteria with propertyradar or have title company give you a list.3) Possibly filter by satellite photos to eliminate undesirable topography.

@Jaedon StoutBRRRR Strategy - This works well when buying properties below market value and rehabbing them to increase equity.

Some banks and lenders will cut you off at 6-7 even if your DTI is below the normal percentage.

do you guys prefer to only invest in newer homes  i.e. built after a certain year to reduce the possibility of having to do a lot of reno on wiring, plumbing, etc. or does it just depend on seeing the house and determ...

The property had significant upside potential as it was priced below market value and required mostly cosmetic updates.

It is illegal (see below article). 

Currently the building runs well, good tenants who are below market rent but there is harmony and dependable cash flow.