Bring in the financing aspect, a whole new ball of wax.

Figure out their land basis, subtract it and that'll give you a figure for soft costs, hard costs and development fees.

I live in Southern California so it will be long distance investing but hoping to get some buy and hold properties and or possibly build on some land in the area. 

I buy with cash when I get a sweet discount for doing so (closing quickly) or buy an odd property (2 homes on one lot or a mobile on land for instance) or one with too many repairs for a bank to lend on.My last cash buy, rehab, rent captured about a 55% equity gain. 

I am buying a small piece of land FSBO.  

It may not be the "rockstar" deal we all hope to land on our first-go; however, it seems like the general consensus is that getting your foot in the door is the hardest part, and once you get 1 deal under your belt you are poised to do more. 

I don’t use them myself just because of a previous relationship but Ball and Minor would be who I would go to.

Can we sell homes that are on land contract?

Either he/she didn't, or ex-wife failed to execute and return it... so it's time to record the divorce decree and (redacted) settlement agreement among the land records.

The biggest value is just the land in Hawaii.