If you were able to acquire a lot of the properties in the area and rent/develop them over time, it may be a lucrative endeavor.

I am looking at them now as a means to buying more properties at a discount.Rather than trying to find the owners of vacant properties that are going to auction (which has very often been a fruitless endeavor), I wonder if it would be possible to just contact the bank, buy the non-performing mortgage, foreclose, and then rehab and sell the property. 

Good luck in all of your endeavors!

Learning the many aspects of making money in R.E. should be a never ending endeavor.

I'm glad to see another road warrior trying to do better for themselves on here, good luck on your endeavors and I look forward to seeing your success story on here.

I would be glad to be a second pair of eyes in your endeavors.   

I will be forever grateful to anybody that can provide me with some insight as I transition into this new endeavor.

I would like to meet local investors to partner with to pursue this endeavor.

With the experience and knowledge I've gained in working in the building design/construction field, I feel I have a skill-set that will be very useful in my real estate investing endeavors. 

Welcome @Dennis Weber, good luck in your endeavors!