Maybe  it has a correlation to all the fracking/drilling activity we have around here, maybe it's not related - who knows.So to get to my question, for a region that is not constructed at all to sustain this peril of mother nature, lets say the current trend continues and we keep having the rumblers.  

@Benjamin Kwendi  If you're interested, I might be able to help you- I'm a broker and I really enjoy working with investors across the region.

I have never dealt with them although introducing myself to the Hagerstown commercial lending department has been on my to do list for too long.A quick Google search will reveal several credit unions and regional banks in the area.Both Hagerstown and Martinsburg generate strong opinions here on BP.

Building costs per sq ft is a regional number - - values in the North East (New England) are different than those in the South West, due to materials, building codes, and even such simple things as 2x6 vs 2x4 wall studs as an example.A good quote for cost/sqft should be available from an "local" licensed contractor and ask two or three to box in a range.

Should I be hitting up regional operators?

@Kimberly DunbarIRA firms are local, regional or nationwide.

Should I consider exploring another region of the country?

I called the power company yet again(keep in mind I was a sucker and paid all the previous bills on time somehow like a good boy) and they gave me some hard to follow explanation about we are not charged for the power we use....We are charged based on the sum of the regions power usage and it is divided up between customers and is also based on the previous years usage of the same month!??

@Wes Brand would have to agree with @Jerry W. and Lane Kawaoka from my experience, but I'd imagine lending is different in every region.

Terms will vary by bank and region...in my market a ln apartment building loan will typically require a 30% down payment.