I totally agree with you gentlemen on looking into the neighbor's before jumping to close to purchase. Being in Oregon right now here's how I've been attacking the situation:
1) find appropriate properties for sale in my size and price range.
2) get all of the ariel and street view mapping possible for the property and surrounding neighbors
3) research crime rate, taxes and all the basic must do when moving into a new area
4) contact Mike Otto to inspect the property and have soil sampled
5) if they pass steps 1 through 4, I'm on a plane and in a rental car to check things out. I'm trying to line up at least two properties before I get on a plane.
I will definitely have to look into Sabine County. I like that price point! Running into a lot of properties with existing pawns but they all look like they have been neglected for some time. I'm waiting to hear back from Mike Otto regarding cost difference is to rehabilitate an existing hole in the ground or dig a proper pond. Thank you all for your continued support and information in are scary but exhilarating experience of moving and being a pond owner!
Shawn
