Said in front of a uniformed fire inspector there to investigate that numerous BS complaints they had filed.

After all, if a potential renter identifies a preferred location, but cannot find any options that fit within their budget, they will likely begin investigating secondary location options.

Depend heavily on your own investigation and maybe, just maybe what inspectors you hire have to say.

Personally, I learned to truly love knocking on doors and tap into my "inner Columbo" and become a good investigator of people's situations to uncover the facts and circumstances and especially the opportunities. 

@John Jackson  back when I was coaching that student group that you were in, you were a  day trader with two young girls and your wife was teaching school in Texas What I'm most impressed about you John is that you found a way to work within the law of Texas when it was a mess in 2005 regarding executory contracts, you investigated the law and found the best way to do lease option assignments.  

Tell us the details of something that looks like is the right ptice range and the right type and THEN investigate only something that passes your sniff test and tell us which ones you want to know more about

And another way to see if there might be an underground tank is to look for fuel lines that penetrate through the foundation walls when you are in the basement; these could go to either above ground or underground tanks, but it is an indicator that you should investigate further. 

Never really investigated that area except to go skydiving and eat at Phil's BBQ, I'm assuming a lot of new construction/high prices down that way?

Right now a Heloc might be a better option for you, of course, you'll need to investigate your specifics.

Once you figure all that out, there are places you can investigate in NJ, CT, Northern NY and LI.