the 50% rule doesn't know roof age, individual market dynamics, anything about utilities, etc. 

Honestly, unless you’re in a high-end market where buyers or renters expect it, dropping thousands on a sprinkler system probably isn’t your best ROI move—especially if the property has been sitting for months.

Also, if you’ve found certain markets more promising than others, what’s been driving your decisions?

Buy on market, nothing wrong with that.

If you do not do your market research correctly, it doesn't matter how great your list is because you will pull a list in a bad market.

You may want to get in touch with @Sharon Vornholt who has done a lot of marketing in this niche.

You are able to find properties off market and are turn key and ready to except your proceeds. 

Raw land is tricky for even experienced agents/brokers to sell.Co-marketing a vacant lot with a builder is not a new concept and is done frequently.

I’m pretty busy with my job as it’s a 24/7 industry, I don’t have time to handle aggressively hunting for off market deals however I could still do it with mailers, as I’m in no rush to purchase right away.

I'm interested in connecting with investors in the North Carolina market and share my knowledge and experience in generating cash flow properties.