Don't jump feet first into a zip code known for high-crime, but also don't discount it. 

It is a 2400 square foot house on half-an-acre.  

The grass is about 4 feet high and looked like a hay field.Utilities been out for last 1 yr so nobody is living there.

If I'm to wait for a year or two before investing, maybe getting my license and sell properties would be a good place to start as far as getting to know the market and get my feet wet - Can I take the classes online? 

I have probably bought 100 to 150 squares of shingles there. 

Comps for the area are few because of the type of property but there was one near with less square footage and smaller lot that sold for $4.2 million in April this year.

Went into the house to find the whole first floor covered in water and about 2 feet  of water in the basement.

Back then when my property were under major renovation, the County dude showed up asking question on the rent, budget and square footage etc.

Active investing is more experience but I jumped in feet first about 10 months ago and now I'm doing my 8th flip. 

In this context, here is one mistake that I see investors make over and over again, they focus on price and don't put it in connection with square footage.