My son has been touting a block chain investment that he hopes will take off one day.

Sometimes the info is not accurate but it's good enough.Start by looking up *county name* property records and see what info is available online.It can take some digging but once you find it it's like gold. 

This includes upscale restaurant development in the neighborhood (think Starbucks and other chains).

Replaced all the gold (hinges, doorknobs, etc.) with brushed nickel.

I took my chain saw to the fence when she was at work. 

Not ha-ha.I just got an offer form a wholesaler  ( national chain) here in Oregon..

HGTV is to real estate, like soap operas are to real life.This is GOLD! 

I've done that on a property after getting advice from folks on here and so far it's worked well (I used a Warranty Deed rather than a Quit Claim deed as many others do, to better protect the chain of title, based on some recommendations as well as advice from my attorney)I also have recently bought a condo in Germantown MD, and I spent quite a bit of time analyzing condos as investments in the different areas of Montgomery County… so to also echo what others have said on that, I'd be really surprised if you could find something that cashflows in e.g.

You can daisy chain these things and actually create a nice little model of having some throwing off cash for you while others are being built.You're right that you'll have periods of rent after construction can affect the house's value. 

I would hate to quit digging three feet from gold but do not want to waist time calling number after number on a skip trace service and getting wrong numbers and no answer if there is a better way.