Can anyone advise on this or any other strategies to hold on to this property as a productive investment?

You have no idea...It really isn't hard, though, to draw a distinction between commercial signs that might be up for months, and political signs that are not only up for less time, but are exactly the sort of thing the First Amendment is meant to protect.

You will get very frustrated with your results if your end goal is to create SEO through blogging alone.However, there are a number of side benefits to blogging:1) Visitors to your site that you produce in your ordinary course of business will have a chance to view content that educates them about products and services related to your business and gives them a chance to get to know your company.2) You will develop knowledge and expertise in the area that you are writing about.  

Are they always selling stuff, yes ... but they are selling products that they believe will benefit your business.

Currently, I am using a couple of products that I cobbled together to make my process easier (or at least it is to me!).

Jason,I would think there is a product out there for him.  

Because of that, we don't get the mass production capabilities like the auto industry that can drive down costs.

Competition isn't real -- if you have a good product and there are customers for that product, you can succeed.You get off market deals by contacting people that are off market and seeing if they would sell. 

Consult a good lender like Upen Patel to get the right product.

Numbers first, then neighborhood, and finally level of renovation/product.