It’s a complex world that blends public finance, engineering, construction, and community impact.

I’ve lived and invested through them.But the fact that so many smart investors write New Orleans off as having zero appreciation potential — that’s exactly why I think the opportunity exists.This isn’t a Detroit situation where the core economic engine left and never came back.

I’ll add that it’s one of many ways you can gain an edge as an investor.Being a contractor, homebuilder, handyman, structural engineer, appraiser, inspector, accountant, real estate attorney, or banker (as you are) can also give you a unique advantage.

I come from a tech and systems engineering background, and for the past year I’ve been diving deep into real estate investing — especially non-traditional, no down payments and interest-free models.I’m currently exploring how a brand new concept that already works in several countries (group-purchase model for real estate) could be adapted to the U.S. market.

People believe they can short cut this by utilizing search engine marketing (SEM), which is paid for search results.  

That engineering background will serve you well.Here are a few thoughts based on your questions:1.

These specialists can inspect and, if needed, seal foundation cracks—either from the interior or exterior—and install interior perimeter drains that lead to a sump pump If there are signs of structural damage—such as significant foundation cracks, bowed walls, or uneven floors—a structural engineer should evaluate the situation before major waterproofing work begins.

If you did want to pay for a structural engineer to come out. 

Use the BiggerPockets calculators or Excel to practice.Join a local or virtual meetup — hearing others’ experiences is powerful and keeps you motivated.Talk to a lender or broker now — they can help you reverse-engineer how much you’ll need to save based on your goals, income, and credit.For a 12-month timeline, a good goal is to have 15–25% of the property value saved, depending on whether you buy a turnkey rental or go through a platform.

Is it true that the bank would use the lot as collateral for a new construction loan @Troy Sheets Yes, the lot value as well as any soft costs like architecture, engineering, etc. can count as well with most banks.