It doesn't matter how it's physically connected.

I would like to target these communities to flip older homes and possible smaller apartment buildings. the areas also have great school districts and close proximity to parks.time frame: 1 home acquisition by year one, 3-4 by year 2 and enough to quit the day job by 5 years 10-15 rental units(?)

Hey All - Time for another update:As for the physical condition of the units, I've got 5 of them turned and are rented.

Are there really that many REOs left in Broward County that aren't swarmed on relentlessly by every other investor in close proximity?  

The proximity to downtown Raleigh does make it seem very appealing for a speculative play.

Even after the sheriff physically removed them from the property and changed locks, the tenant returned the next day, drilled the locks out, and moved themselves back in. 

Even though physically this is near the four universities on university heights, as far as the students are concerned it is in another country.  

, meaning i can't just go and ask the neighbours physically.  

They have plenty of time back home in philly to look at houses online talk to people or whatever, but they aren't physically going back to Charlotte until January to look again.  

My girlfriend's mother and step father live near Orlando and would be able to help out until we physically move down there to settle in.