Additionally, Airbnb income during this period could generate steady cash flow, though market conditions and regulatory risks should be considered.

I try sending a video or doing a live video walk-through with them so they can get a better idea of the layout, condition, neighborhood, etc.2.

The behavior is a bit off, but not surprising for a mom & pop landlord.We tell our residents exactly what we need from them for the application. 

@Saul Vargas, to piggyback off others, sourcing a traditional SFH rental that meets your underwriting criteria will be complex due to interest rates and market conditions.

Appraisals aren't an exact science.

Exactly  its why I only respond to limited PM's.

Beyond the bedrock issue, soil conditions can be costly if the property has problematic soils such as too much silt, deep topsoil, or extensive wetlands.You'll also want to know what ordinances are going to affect your budget - things like tap fees, tree ordinances, storm water retention policies, etc.Bottom line is that you have to investigate ordinances, off-site conditions, and on-site conditions before you can even begin to budget your development.

Forgive this not being investment focused exactly just looking for guidance from some experience people 

However, in order to do this effectively, you have to have knowledge, experience, resources, and cash reserves in case things don't go exactly as planned.Hopefully this post was helpful to you in seeing a realistic example of how to purchase real estate without using your own money.

Leave the owners alone, when and if they are ready to sell, they will, and there will be plenty of lots to choose from on the MLS.I have no statistics to back this up, but in my casual observation after our fire is about 1/3 of the owners rebuilt their homes (some built similar, some duplicated exactly--big mistake, and some built better/nicer/larger homes).