I still dread crossing the Buckman bridge to go out there.  

However, i have a line I will not cross.

As others pointed out So very much can go wrong and it borders on predatory lending * if * the person is not qualified and it’s done improperly .

Since this is only my third deal, and I was in a time crunch to get it purchased (I work abroad and was on summer break), it didn't cross my mind.

Fingers crossed.

Crossing my fingers!

Any specific issues that we need to look for, or I's that need to be dotted and T's that need to be crossed that other people screw up?

I also feel it's actually less safe for pedestrians because they'll not cross at a corner, they'll inevitably walk up to your project, go out and around it in the street, then back on the sidewalk once past your project. 

Cross a city line and find yourself in Berkeley or Oakland in California.

It has historically been a blue collar (bordering on rough) mill town.