I would talk to some lenders  getting land loans and development loans with no experience is next to impossible starting out.. 

I want to develop my sales skills to negotiate better deals.

In the case of the stolen furniture I would also ask how did the police offer develop the competence to read a lease and decide that was a reason to not pursue the case? 

I get it with the builders.. we saw that big time in the GFC however the deals I saw was them walking away from substantial EM deposits deep into the 6 figure range.. we did well picking up some lots from lot developers who had this happen to them..

But, all of the areas around there are starting to develop as well. 

However, you have to invest in specific communities where they are encouraging development.

Check out some of things happening in Detroit in 2024:https://michiganchronicle.com/2024/01/03/major-developments-that-will-define-detroit-in-2024/Your first question shouldn't be WHERE to invest (that is #2 question), but HOW you will invest!

Like I brokered a 22  lot development of duplex's for a builder and just charged him 30k flat fee per sale.. they sold for 225k each back in 05 when I did this and I sold them all in one weekend at a big event i paid for in San Jose CA.. all to CA investors it was my fly and buy program I did in those days..

You need to develop a subject matter expertise and treat this like the hands on business that it is. 

Research led me to a couple of videos of former ND players coming back to build development into the area.