@John Thedford  can quote the statutes that you may want to read for yourself.. so you don't spend money on attorneys etc.. 

Might work if the owner is planning on spending some time there?

@Nicholas Aiola I’ve considered this, but the problem is spending over the sale amount on the new property/ properties.

How much do I require to spend on the replacement property from the total sales proceeds, considering it would be around $60,000 after agent commission and closing costs?

I think most people would agree that poverty is very much a pressing social problem in the USA.I remember in health class in NY back in the 90s, I had to learn how to feel around for testicular cancer on a nasty little silicone model, and yet no teacher in any class spent even a minute to explain how to put together a monthly spending budget.43 million Americans live below the federal poverty line and 9,310 American men were diagnosed with testicular cancer last year.

Before I spend a lot of time and effort performing more due diligence on this property, has anyone else dealt with a flat roof before?

But I need to find out realistically, are there actually guys out there desperately looking for private money loans, or are there more of people like me that are trying to spend money?

I grew up outside of Columbia, but when I actually lived in the city, I was spending my time as a tenant/student.

My hometown is Austin so naturally I spend a lot of time there.  

Invest in your education first before you rush out and spend a lot of money on courses and and all of that because this city has a lot of needless distraction if you don't have focus.