If you call it a side-hobby, it may deter your mentality from your true potential...also, the IRS does not like allowing taxpayers to take losses for hobbies. 

What I would say is really important is that you have all of your finances in order and are prepared (mentally and financially) to invest.

The City or County, whoever has jurisdiction, would not "approve" anything per se in my area but they their Building Dept would issue a Building Permit after you - or your builder - got approval from any HOA and maybe the Health Dept if a septic system is needed and maybe a county Highway Dept if a driveway permit is needed.All of that takes place AFTER the "Developer" turns the land into buildable lots. 

@Tom Knox Mike is right generally if it is habitable and no serious safety or health concerns conventional will lend on it. 

It's not an unfair stigma to say that the vast majority of fix-and-flippers live and breathe this mentality, it's just an inconvenient and ugly truth about real estate that everyone who's in the industry quietly acknowledges or loudly denies.

There are many factors that have held people back in life, sometimes it's mental illness.

Working in healthcare (surgery) has been not good for my health, and it has caused me to not have time with my child as I would like.

If yourself, maybe shadow someone this winter/spring (it's been the worst) to see if you're mentally prepared.

She has had some mental health history problems, and could be trolling herself with the gas burners.

Take the time to save up more money so you are in a better position to able to manage something like vacancies or repairs without putting your financial health at risk.