Where are some places we can go explore in that area you've had success in? 

They're currently provided HOI on a couple rentals for us in the BR area.

You can probably do it in areas without zoning or farmland, but it is very difficult in a traditional residential zone.Your best bet is to look for areas along busier roads that are currently residential and turning commercial or already turned commercial with lingering residential.

If the salesperson can't give you an answer, request to speak with the Area Sales Manager (or whoever is managing that salesperson).I have never worked with Ryan Homes, but in my experience with my builder-clients, we typically want to continue using the model/sales office at least through sellout and potentially even longer depending on how many homes remain to be closed.

Worth area.

Familiarize yourself with the types of properties commonly financed through private money lending and the current trends in your area.

I would not trust an average number.This will be very specific to your management, your lease, your leased property, the area etc.Some people have made money, but I've not heard much about arbitrage lately, and some have lost money and  not honored their lease.In general this is just a job and not an investment, so it's widely discouraged in this forum.

Which will bring plenty of other investors and general business to the area.

In fact, if someone stays in your property for 30 days, they can legally claim they are a resident and you can't kick them out without going through the eviction process.

How the money is distributed at closing doesn’t change your tax situation unless you did something like a 1031 exchange where you would not actually receive any money - the money would go towards another real estate purchase - to which there are a lot of rules. all the best!