That's why he kinda knocked me off balance when he said he buys all of his retail and they cash flow.  

Ifayomi, welcome aboard.You cannot be in this business without taking a hard knock or two. 

It will probably knock off a few years.If that's enough of an incentive to go with the 10 year ARM, then great.  

I would knock on the door and tell them your interest in the property next door and see if they are interested in selling.  

Passaic is also pretty inexpensive but like others said watch out for the 'drug areas' but you living in south queens (not knocking it-I for one love the OZP/HB area) I think you would have a pretty good instinct when it comes to whether a block is safe or not. 

Your most cost effective choice would be to door knock if they do actually live in the home. 

We have tried multiple different things short of digging up the front yard but the water flow is strong enough to knock and sealants out of the way. 

You can later look up the owners address and send a letter or knock on their door.There is a place in very court house where plaintiffs fill out and file their complaint - hang out there, be helpful to those who are not familiar with the forms .....

I attempted to double the size of an existing project and my project ultimately went belly up due to my contractor knocking down the existing home.

Knock on the door and offer them $100 or so to go inside and take some pictures.