Would submitting an offer contingent on determination of suitability to build by the county (soil samples, utilities/infrastructure improvement costs, design approval/permitting, etc) be considered common and reasonable for a vacant lot purchase?

I’ve owned four properties as my primary residences and often refer to them as my “slow flips”… as in, I’ve purchased homes in need of work, made updates and improvements (added sweat equity) as we lived in them for a couple of years, then sold the properties for a nice profit to move on to bigger and better opportunities.As an investor - I’m interested in both fix and flips and long-term rentals.

Property can be improved and rehabilitated by the property owner.  

I wouldn't consider this a rough area, though not great, and it seems to be slightly improving.

Due to improvements inside and the shortage of houses in that price range in our area, I think I could sell it for around $140K.

IDOT made a lot of improvements to IL-59 between Plainfield and I-55, though downtown Plainfield remains a speed-bump on that highway as does the I-30 junction just south of downtown Plainfield.

So good to see this kind of improvement going on in the Holy City! 

All properties use the same percentage and the land and improvement value (they break down the property value into these two parts) will appreciate by a certain percentage per year based on your county regulations.

I am in process of notifying NJ state dept of consumer affairs of change for my HIC licenses (Home improvement contractors) and Tax man for my registered agent location.

When I had this situation of rents way below market I incrementally raised them while also making improvements to the property.