Always demand to see a copy of their contract.Remember, these are middlemen trying to play RE agent without a license.

Non one else is affected by this demand. 

And of course that 'demand' will only INCREASE in time, as the current RE, etc.

If we have to demand the deposit, as the law says we should do, it says to do it by certified mail.

Selling price on one similar piece of land I found just down the street (but not across from the airstrip) is $50k per Realtor.com - it seems like a loss, even if they demanded a premium on being across from the airstrip.

I'm sure the city has an attorney - you might push this angle a little and demand an explanation.

Small towns near larger cities that are in demand I think are a different story.The example @Steve Vaughan gave is a great example. 

Most of those areas you have listed have schools that are in pretty high demand with low inventory making them more expensive.

When builders catch up with demand?  

I currently live in Palm Beach so I'm planning to focus my searches around Palm Beach County however I would be open to other areas if there are certain cities, pockets or neighborhoods in demand that are turning around solid margins and profits.