@Ellie Narie to build a home would require 2 different loans or a "one-time-close" loan. 

I give them cash for their equity and they show up to closing and sign a Deed and then they move.

If an investment property, a fix and flip loan could work.Some lenders will work with any level of investor experience, credit scores as low as 660 and can close in as little as 10 days.

The best thing you can do is go to next court hearing(before closing) and talk to the court inspectors.  

California City was planned out around 1960 by a sociologist who hoped it would grow to be something close to Los Angeles in population.  

DSTs (Delaware Statutory Trusts) are as close to passive real estate investing as you can get while still holding real estate and claiming the same tax benefits.

I invest in a small rural community where there are often few comparable close by, so it is even more important for me to know my market.

You can reach out to your local (state) Self Storage Association, peruse topics on You Tube, and certainly many, many forums here on Biggerpockets with quality folks & quality content.Regardless, of how you piece your learning together, everything (soup to nuts) for an Acquisition is either FINDING a lead, EVALUATING to determine if it's a deal, now you're in the PURCHASING phase, and after you close, now it's all about MANAGING.If you think that at times it makes more sense to build than to buy, then you'll want to learn about Development & Conversions.  

And next make sure you have enough for your down payment and closing costs.

I find that the one percent rule is merely a way to scan (mostly on market) properties to see how close they are to cash flow.