I personally would take a less of an ROI deal over a flood zone deal.Not to mention, one of the main 4 pillars of real estate investing is appreciation, and while property will appreciate all across town, there is going to be a slower increase in appreciation and less of an increase than a non flood zone property (I would say this is excluding beach properties where this is expected and throughout the entire town)Hope this helps - I am in Somerset County! 

@Nick B.UPDATEI spoke with one foundation guy today and got a quote for 7k for 20 steel/cement pillars around the outside edge of the house.The current owner had two other quotes:Quote 2 - 11 concrete pilings for 3.3kQuote 3 - 30 concrete pilings for 11kThe one I spoke with said the pilings aren't as good as the steel/concrete pillars.

https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/pillars-asset-protection-real-estate-investorsSeveral States now offer series LLC's that simplify the paperwork and work to create and maintain each entity, and maintain separation of assets more flexibly. 

Pillars of Wealth Creation - Todd DexheimerI enjoy his shows content although Todd is a littl less colorful and entertaining as some.

He now has a combination program called The Four Pillars of Real Estate which includes the Vacant House Data Feed. 

Great inspiration story Ian you have reaffirmed  us the pillars to success by being engaged with Bigger Pockets. 

Pillar to Post is the company I used when I bought my property.

Not that this helps the OP, but the IRS has a completely different outlook with used cars.Because the used car lots with the "buy here, pay here" business model were able to effectively demonstrate that their industry has a very high rate of default, they were able to effectively crumble one of the 4 pillars of revenue recognition - "the certainty of collection".Basically, they said that their customers have demonstrated that there is no certainty of collection, so the IRS allows them the installment method of revenue recognition on their sales.The 4 pillars of revenue recognition are:1.

My Top 3:1) Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill2) How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie3) The One Thing by Gary KellerThese three are my "pillars" as an Realtor.

Granted, that may have been a little pricey and over-the-top, but what wasn't quoted was all the drywall cracking and such that would have to be repaired after the house gets jacked up and re-set onto new joists/pillars and such.