Probably the only way to make any money here is new development for higher density.

It does not really matter to me as long as I develop a good system.  

The lender is a friend of a friend and has an office around the corner from Property 1 so I thought a relationship could be developed. 

I have a friend who is a real estate developer in Europe.  

I know both areas, can develop relationships with key team members in both, and can tell if a property is a good deal more easily.This isn’t the rule for all investors, but makes for a more solid foundation from which to begin.

Duke University owns many of the buildings on this street so it will always be well manicured and not overly developed (sprawling lawns etc). 

Account Closed Looks like my developing strategy is very similar to yours!

Starting a development project in a 3,660 sq. ft.

There is a lot less risk when you have had time to develop a relationship with the tenant.

But I've cleared enough poison ivy to develop a very bad reaction to it, and I am occasionally exposed to it as part of this life of running rentals.