We are receiving leads from all over US all the time but I am just not sure how to handle them. 

I appreciate your posting this, because we are also in Alabama and are preparing to finish out about 700 square feet in our basement.

We are implementing the "BRRR"  philosophy.  

I've gotten enough assistance from fema, red cross and personal interest free loans that I can wait out the gougers until they're starving and need to feed their kids again.  

We are super hungry, motivated, and willing to do just about anything and everything to make our business a success.

If the deal we bring to the wifey sucks, we are dead in the water.  

I am a huge advocate for people respecting the business we are in (this means taking the time beforehand to mentally prep and equip yourself for the great real estate journey you are about to embark on).  

, I realize there's a whole different world out there than we are dealing with.

Having said that the corporation itself is still in this growth mode and showing red for their operations as well.  

Wet it, scrape it, re-texture & move on.Not to complicate matters but since we are on the topic of environmental concerns, if you are not already aware, you should educate yourself on the federal EPA "RRP Rule".