Then start either working with an agent, or driving for dollars to find properties that match price wise.

I think this is very wise advice to ensure I don’t put myself in a difficult financial situation.

approach the owner ask them to give you the 1500 back and maybe 500 for your troubles other wise unless its a critical piece of their parcel  they may just do nothing and the OP ends up with a worthless lot.. strips of land at tax sales generally are worthless unless a neighbor has their septic on it or something 

I've come to find that people have different definitions of that.But in my market, it makes sense numbers-wise to buy a duplex as a main residence.

For us, it simply isn't even taken into consideration if you're in Columbus or Cambodia (provided they have the citizenship/requirements to access the US banking system), it just matters if you are able to qualify credit and income-wise.

I have sent the demanding letter and point them to the right direction in terms of what they not done(VA state law wise). 

But first you have to look at yourself and assess what your appetite for risk and what you can actually spare money-wise to apply towards real estate investing.  

Get a air handler with that does heat pump best option efficiency wise.

Some buyers are 'parking' money in real estate they hope will be break even cash flow-wise, provide depreciation losses tax-wise, and potentially have some upside appreciation-wise.

Keep buying low and selling high? Not hard to double the cash each and every year.   Any better way with better result and less efforts ?