Finding wedge deals is quite complicated, as you say in this area people bet on appreciation. 

Below are the details:The major complication from the original lender is that it is zoned as mixed-use R-2.

Below are the details:The major complication from the original lender is that it is zoned as mixed-use R-2.

It's complicated, but they are used as collateral to facilitate inter-bank and commercial lending.So yes, when markets crash, the money literally does vaporize. 

Title search usually takes ~5 days if you make your intentions knows (and there’s no unforeseen complications.

It's always a good idea to educate yourself to find all options of the real estate business so you can find the right choice for your needs/desires.Wholesaling is my first choice to learn more about as it seems the least complicated for a newbie but I'm still looking at all the choices. 

Or... would you consider getting into joint ventures or other partnerships with limited partnerships that can be bought out so as to pay off original money backers and allow for less complications?

The lots are seriously cheap and the builders of the above-mentioned modern homes are a-plenty, and since I won't be looking to build anything complicated or palatial, I wonder if the numbers would work out.

Complicating the whole thing are realtors in the area who just don’t seem interested/motivated. 

Here's an excerpt from this new law with more information (and a whole lot of additional notices and info you now have to provide to the tenant when they don't pay):(1) The time period in which the tenant may pay the amount due or deliver possession of the property shall be no shorter than 15 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and other judicial holidays.(2) The notice shall set forth the amount of rent demanded and the date each amount became due.(3) The notice shall advise the tenant that the tenant cannot be evicted for failure to comply with the notice if the tenant delivers a signed declaration of COVID-19-related financial distress to the landlord on or before the date that the notice to pay rent or quit or notice to perform covenants or quit expires, by any of the methods specified in subdivision (f).(4) The notice shall include the following text in at least 12-point font:“NOTICE FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA: If you are unable to pay the amount demanded in this notice, and have decreased income or increased expenses due to COVID-19, your landlord will not be able to evict you for this missed payment if you sign and deliver the declaration form included with your notice to your landlord within 15 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and other judicial holidays, but you will still owe this money to your landlord.