It might be in a redevelopment zone or path of a new road or highway. 

Homepath has renovation mortgages, which requires much more red tape and leg work on my part (I suppose the same with 203K loans), but...I'm trying to look at REI from a more corporate, long term stand point. 

They are not in war zones but definitely low income or C properties.

Does it raise a red flag to the seller if I offer only $100?

Call utitlities to see if there are any un-filed liens or large balances, as those won't be on a lien search, call city to see if there are any zoning issues or unfiled assesments.

Sometimes my clients are overseas in various time zones so I am talking at all hours. 

Is it something ordinarily done for landlords with war zone properties?

Finally, while the county will never physically get closer to the Bay Area or Redding, and transit time from Redding isn't really improvable due to the terrain, there is ongoing efforts to make Humboldt more connected to the south.

Wanted to throw this out to see what red flags if any you see that maybe we haven't considered!  

@Kobus De Villiers , before you invest in multi-family, listen to my podcast where I committed the worst investment mistake of my career buying a 36-unit apartment in a war zone - here: http://Biggerpockets.com/show65