Getting contractors to do the finish work on a job is a difficult part of rehab. find someone you trust

I don't mind something that needs a little rehab just not a total gut job since I am not in the area. 

They don't have to fix the toilet, mow the lawn, and if their job moves, they can move too without worry.Second thing, as to the education of economic benefits; well again, that's nationwide, and not just in RE.

Now I currently have a job in construction management, and am usually working in the the areas near the NY border and sometimes in Brooklyn.

I deal with a fair number of criminals in my job and when they refuse a request there is pretty much always a problem.

OR, they could be baking cookies for the scout troop, or selling fish dinners for the church occasionally.

@Melanie HeigesThe cable from Spain to Virginia Beach has been laid underground finally and there is going to be a giant data hub similar to Ashburn VA near corporate landing.There’s tons of develop that is going to create jobs and hopefully make the market boom.They are also building a giant sporting complex near the convention center.

Thankfully though, being an architect for my 9-5 job, I know zoning very well and I know how to find it very quickly if I dont.

I find the stories interesting as I try and see how I could use their experience and lessons learned to my benefit.My latest read is Ray Dalio's book who is the founder of Bridgewater (Very - Very successful Hedge Fund - That I frankly never heard of - Shocking but True)In the book Ray does a great job of breaking down is career, struggles and lessons learned in the first half and then spends time on the "Principles" he wants to share. 

I ended up going to my local (SoCal) Wells Fargo and they got the job done.