The best way would be to get active, ask questions, answer any questions you can, and let those relationships with people here develop naturally. 

By their  nature that shows asset disposal under the 10 year mark generally from acquisition. 

I know with flood insurance they give it a % of likelihood that the natural disaster will occur.

The best thing you can do starting out is team up with an experienced investor while you get some skin in the game.

None of the changes are electrical in nature but some are plumbing but I don't think a plumber should be required since its just small leaking faucet type stuff.3) has anyone ever counter back like that and did it scare the buyers off?  

I was right on it in Palo Alto)So for natural disasters its safer than most.. but for violent weather that kills many IE Tornados Hurricanes lighting  Zero chance.. other than the afore mentioned Columbus day storm of 1962 which brought 100 plus mile an hour winds to metro PDX and NW Oregon. it was a once in 500 years storms.

Due to the nature of the development, I need a fairly large tract of land - roughly 500 acres for the facilities themselves and another 500-1000 acres for sound buffer.

Be careful about trying to absorb costs as you would be surprised how people suddenly don't "care" as much when they have no skin in the game! 

Numbers wise they are getting in for less w/ smaller notes & naturally the cash flow numbers will be better.Bottom line:  Your ability to cash flow while house hacking is location dependent.

I have chosen these areas because these are growing cities, with lots of young people moving in and most of them have plenty of access to nature and hiking and biking opportunities.I have a fair credit score but my debt to income ratio is very poor.