Hi all,I have recently established my land acquisition business with the goal to purchase parcels of land, either within data center opportunity zones or areas with the potential to allow for data center development, rezone the property with submitted plans, then sell to developers ‘shovel-ready’ within the various jurisdictions of the Commonwealth of Virginia.I understand there are multiple mechanisms that come into play including obtaining financing (partnering with an experienced investor), utilizing land-use attorneys, land surveying and engineering firms, appraisers, as well as approval from local planning commissions, board of supervisors, etc.Would there be any investors who are currently active in this niche?

@Josh Silvester You need to check your local laws.

I am not yet, I was in the stage of educating myself and have been networking at my local REI, but obviously they mostly work in Raleigh.

She is an REI coach, but happy to hop on a call, and she lives out there so would have the local knowledge and skillset to help.

local bank financing How did you add value to the deal?

You'll give up some project but the value in that first deal is what you learn.Sometimes you can meet builders at local real estate meet ups

I bought properties needing rehab for the last 24 years, had local contractors complete the necessary upgrades only to be able to max the rents, and sold them a few years later after the numbers stabilized using a 1031.  

I am mostly local, using driving for dollars, reverse driving for dollars, and government lists. 

Sonya, go to your local REI association meetings first, see if there are people locally who are doing mentoring and then stick with them (after some investigation).  

...talk to an experienced local realtor/broker, etc.* Assess what rehab work needs to be done and assess the potential rehab costs.