Bad Timing for Purchase?

[Calvin Kwan]

Hi everyone, Through some family connections, I found an off listing duplex in South Berkeley that will be delivered vacant COE - one unit is current occupied. He is willing to sell at 825k, but the property needs work. Both units are 4/2. If you guys know the area, this could be a steal. Market price is probably 3800-4200 per unit. I did an initial walk through of the vacant unit and on the surface, it definitely needs to be updated. Kitchen is a mess and bathrooms look like theyre from the 1920s. New floors are needed, plus a repaint and popcorn ceiling removal. It looks like there might be low to medium pest. I wasn't able to look at the foundation. Here's my dilemma. I submit my offer this week, but go on vacation mid October for 3 weeks. If I close in 30 days, do I leave my property to a GC for 3 weeks or do I wait until i return to start work? I know once we start digging into the rehab, there will probably be some big issues. It's my first rehab project, so I'm a bit hesitant to leave the rehab without my supervision. With the upcoming holidays around the corner, rentals will slow down so I'd like to get this rented asap. What would you guys do?