Well if it is vacant land you can't do anything development wise to it anyway......besides planting a garden, lol.  

In my mind, it depends on what the nature of the crash is - for example, if the crash is due to a contraction in the job market, pretty much every segment suffers (renters can't afford rents, people don't have free money to buy flipped homes, etc.).

Determine the full scope of work you plant to do (assume you have this, if you have labor already determined).

You want to deal with motivated sellers, and you might have to let this seller suffer some more to improve his level of motivation.

If you are looking at Phoenix I would recommend looking at the east valley, with the new airport, the Apple plant and some major housing developments there is a lot going on here.

I'm planning to cut the grass, fill in holes (dogs like digging), but I don't know if I should plant anything or put down new mulch.

Combined, these firms and a few others have spent billions of dollars over the last two years buying up thousands of homes, with an aim to become giant landlords.The group's website is full of data and stories about the upsides of renting instead of owning your house, the benefits of "professionalizing" property management and the neighborhood and economic impacts of all this home-buying. http://www.latimes.com/la-fi-mo-rental-giants-plant-flag-in-washington-20140326,0,7368877.story#ixzz2yq6a5DjP

The agent you speak of is probobly suffering from fatigue from you.

A good stage job is going to include wall hangings, bathroom decorations, plants, etc.

I suggest you get settled in first too, get planted and know your area generally.