The problem is that we actually flood, the properties get damaged, and even if you have insurance, the down time to get it fixed just equals lost money. 

Your statement about the boom was based on $80-100 a barrel for oil and not in the $40s as things have slowed If and when oil prices rise again, I would consider putting in utilities and renting lots for trailers as people made a killing doing this at the peakThe difficulty in building quads is the lack of demand during the down time and the REAL difficulty in getting a builder and subs during the boom times as they all go to work in the oilfields.  

I need to get a iPad or bigger phone so it's easier to read on my down time. 

But the farther away you need to essentially become a passive investor in to such vacation real estate located farther away (besides when you do go you want to enjoy and not spent that down time away yet still working!)

I am a professional tennis player with a lot of down time.

Everything for me has to do with timing because of the nature of my full time job , I am sacrificing my personal time and down time doing everything I can to make it work .

I recommend listening to a ton of the BP Podcast episodes, start at the beginning and listen when you are getting ready for work, in the car or any other time you have some downtime. 

Should I consider paying the contractor for their down time today (technically I'm at fault for them not working today given I committed to the home being available today)?

I know that once you get going in the industry you'll be making some decent money (keep it  - don't spend it like everyone else) and that you'll have plenty of down time unless you work on episodics.

This may be an odd question: Other than reading various articles/blogs/forum posts on BP, what is something I can be doing to be productive when I have 5 minutes of downtime?