They don't have to disclose flood zone here so you have to look it up individually, and some insurance companies have set up their own "surge" zones so either limits your choice of insurer or increases insurance costs in those areas.  

The neighborhood is odd: within a block radius there's a 3bed 1ba home that sold for as much as $255k within the last few months, it's very nicely renovated but actually slightly smaller than my home although the lot is a bit nicer.

High Net Worth individuals and companies do not like debt.

I purchased from an individual...who actually had asked me to appraise the property.

Again, looking for a few like minded individuals that would like to get together for coffee in the coming week or two to share visions and war stories.

However they are usually hired by the association, not an individual unit owner.The seller may (or maybe not) be offering owner financing because the condo complex does not qualify for FHA, FannieMae or conventional financing.

I pick up a no trespass notice at the local police station, fill it out and give it to the individual.

@Shay Singh - I bought 18 properties in 9 months and used a commercial lender (US Bank)It was not a portfolio loan, they are individual standard commercial loans but I did 3-5 at the same time. 

The LLC recently bought it's first property, you did not... so that transaction would likely not affect your individual status as a potential first time home-buyer. 

It's separated into two buildings, which are comparable in size and take up a good chunk of a city block.