He puts together a lot of side agreements, private DOT's, and generally does anything attorney-driven that I need to move things quickly.  

He's a character.

I'll wait and see.I am of the opinion that the recession won't be as real estate driven. 

I'm hardworking and driven to succeed, just nervous to get started with not knowing anything, I have money put back to get started, but I really don't wanna spend it on the wrong things while getting started.  

Assuming that you're in a city, the answer, and any subsequent answers to how it can be done if it can be done, will be largely driven by your city's land development code.What can safely be assumed though, is that you'll have to have some sort of street access.

Now that other investor had driven by that same property at least a dozen times before I was in the car with him/her, but they were not in the driving for dollars mode.

I am newer to rehabbing, have a solid business relationship with private lender. he knows my character, work habits, ethics, transparency and trustworthiness.

But the problem is that demand these days have driven those run-down brownstones to $2 MM and then your profit margin is gone.

After you've driven for dollars a couple of times in your car, you can probably start doing a lot of it from Google streetview instead.That said, it's not always the most efficient method of chasing down a deal.I would highly suggest going to some local real estate meetups.

That speaks to your character.