The city can't stop you from buying and they can't force you to build.Assuming that answers the question of "can I" the next question is probably "should I". 

When I first got into real estate investing I was taking mortgages out in my name and had a tough time with my primary so I refied them out and into an LLC and now I have 70 properties and all of them are owned in LLCs with the LLC being the borrower. 

Don't let finding someone at the property stop you from reaching out to the owner, you can still get the property under contract even if its occupied.

Suppose the worst case scenario transpires, can you borrow from a 401k or credit card at a reasonable interest rate, sell some stock, etc.?

Remember also, when the economy does crash, banks stop lending!

(Rule of thumb suggests that falling below 1% gross return per month makes it increasingly hard to cash flow positively on average, when borrowing to the max).A similar question: Are you getting a bargain* (compared to sold comps)?

We stopped doing direct mail over a year ago.

If the LLC borrows money, that the IRA is a member of, then it could create a tax to IRA.You could find a third party IRA to be your lender instead? 

Since reading rich dad poor dad I have been reading non stop and listening to the bp podcasts.

I have long boards and short boards which you could borrow and if you give me a little about your surf experience I am sure we could find an exciting spot for you/family to learn or practice surfing.