I am watching the activity in the tax sale in Shelby County and aside from the general nature of the lots available I notice a definite lack of activity.

To recap, a modern finished-in-place oak floor done by a quality crew will typically be light-colored natural (or in a few cases stained espresso-dark very evenly), and then finished in high-gloss water-based poly. 

@Gregory McKinley I would suggest a few things before you even get a deal or start looking for them:-Build your brand (website, thought leadership platform)-Attend local events and those put on by syndicators-Start telling everyone what your doing-Partner (connect with more experience syndicators and see how you can add value to them and in return they may want to partner on a deal with you when you get one)By doing these steps you will naturally start to raise money and have your immediate inner circle primed for when an opportunity does come.

Take in lots of info from the other investors and that will help you decide and then it makes the next step more of a natural progression than a mystery.

Its the nature of the beast!

The heat is natural gas furnace - pretty efficient.

A ton of natural light from the unique front windows.

A Developer actually "develops" the property i.e. takes empty forest or farmland and brings water, sewer, electricity, natural gas, etc. to the property and puts in streets and subdivides it into lots. 

Most likely the state where the property is located is where lawsuits would be brought if they are something for personal injury like a trip and fall or something of that nature because the “cause of action” arose in that state.

Appreciate both your insights - and yes, awareness of the time horizon is a big thing vs. the likelihood of future natural disasters is an important consideration.