Beyond that there are many different style and types of investing.

Environmental engineers, heavy equipment, destroyed yards all the way around the house (because of course it's not buried where it's easy to yank out).

The majority member wants me to take the land for $1, and assume the environmental and back property taxes of $52,000. 

If you're doing a flip or other short-term hold, the next buyer will look at what you paid, and no matter how irrational it is, they'll feel worse if you made a lot of money in their mind.Let's say that a house is objectively (crystal-ball-style) worth $100K and you list it for $100K in August of 2014.

I am currently about to begin a project within a week a Spanish style home that has to be completely gutted and will only spend no more than 30k on the rehab.

We've got every flavor, age, style and price level of property you can ask for.

You may do better overall by partnering with one of them rather than running into unexpected issues after opening up a can of worms on a property with environmental issues.

Are there legitimate environmental concerns?

As spec builders tear down these homes and replace them with suburban style boxes and McMansions, the architectural character of the neighborhood declines to that of a suburban subdivision. 

I think that many of them will be happy with a tiny, cozy,beautiful,[ did I mention 2 of the windows still contain original craftsman style stained glass and we are repairing some incredible moulding] and clean home at a good price.I do not believe that there has to be a choice between making money and helping to answer prayers.