But just as practice, what should I look for in the due diligence phase?

Any recommendations or best practices you use for renovations projects?

I used to be a real estate attorney (I retired my license, so nothing I say is legal advice), but even when I practiced, I would still use local counsel for land use questions.

Now, to @Peter Nikic - I personally believe and practice that proactive, positive, compassionate communication is important.  

I am presently based in New Jersey but since I have an insatiable appetite for the outdoors I will be relocating to either Colorado, Oregon, or Washington next year.

While I plan to research and look for a mentor, I wanted to know if there were some best practices for finding a mentor, how to approach a potential mentor, and what would be some key indicators of a good mentor?

Lots of things...My wife just got a promotion that will relocate us from Pensacola to Nashville.

that makes you believe you’ll get an appreciation jump in the next handful of years (university expansions, major employer relocation, public works, etc.??) 

Disclaimer: While I’m an attorney licensed to practice in PA, I’m not your attorney.

Did you have to practice certain measures you were not initially planning on due to COVID-19?