For example, often fire damage is water damage--they put the red stuff out with wet stuff.

Having an overstated vacancy rate on a pro form could be a red flag about the property.

The land is also next to a quarry and is likely gravel (which would make construction easier but could also mean the contamination is very deep).

Whatever the situation is, it would definitely need to be reasonable and not raise red flags. 

However, areas (in red) on this map show that certain spots in the city are actually losing population.

They are not digging that deep into who owns what company. 

After tons of prayer I felt like it was time to quit and jump off the deep end.

I have read that book as well along with a few others and we are deep in that plan as well, and can't wait to be free of "stupid debt"!

I've been told it's miles of red tape.

@Casey Staidl I think it depends on what type of investing you want to do.I'm assuming your talking about fix-and-flipping because you looking for seasoned flippers to answer your question, and if that's the case (though I'm not the most qualified on the subject) I'd suggest a looking for a partnership.If you can handle the project management side of things and find someone with deep pockets to fund the majority of the expenses and then split profits 50/50, I think that'd be the best leverage you can get.