Being that close to the house, you will want to have it professionally removed and the stump ground out .... factor this into your acquisition/rehab costs.As for the abandoned house next door ... looks like another opportunity.

Newer buildings constructed these days usually factor in the ground movement of those soils etc.The Dollar General being in a better area doesn't bode as well for it long term.

Because many of them are not local (many international) and they don't know the area or have boots on the ground. 

You just need the right person on the ground where you are investing.  

As I posted a couple of days ago, Atlanta is ground zero for institutional investors, so anything that they are interested in buying goes super quickly at or close to retail.  

I got an idea on permanently putting some concrete blocks (6 by 12) on the ground to prevent strangers from driving to the backyard of the apartment building.

They can also help you make a rehab budget.In my experience, the major things that you are going to want to be aware of are:Structural or Foundation problemsTermites or other wood destroying organismsMoldType and age of wiring (knob and tube, romex, fuse box, 80 amp service, 100 amp service, 200 amp service, is it grounded properly, etc.)Condition, age, and type of plumbing (Galvanized, PVC, pex) as well as water source (city water vs well water)Type and Age of Sewer system (Clay tile sewer line, PVC sewer line, septic, etc.)Pets control issues (bed bugs, roaches, fleas, etc.)Condition of RoofCondition of MechanicalsCondition of WindowsI think those are the most concerning ones.

I'm getting closer and closer to getting my REI company off the ground and with that comes some more questions (already searched the forum and didn't come up with an answer).

Tenant shall refrain from disposing of things such as grease, bones, coffee grounds, orange peels, celery, corn husks, asparagus, egg shells, fruit pits, potato peels, or the like down the garbage disposal in kitchen.

They virtually rebuilt the home, added a 4th bedroom on the ground floor with a master ensuite.