What can I do now (before) to speed-up the rehab?

[Nelson Barss]

I'm under contract to by an investment property in about 45 days.  I'll be doing a basic rehab and the end goal is to keep it as a rental.   I'll be using hard money to purchase. Obviously, it's important to get a tenant in ASAP and pay off the hard money lender quickly.   

The rehab will include framing-in part of the basement to create a 4th bedroom, and then doing fresh carpet, paint, appliances and counter tops throughout the house.

My contractor didn't feel like a building permit would be needed until we decided to frame in that bedroom and he realized that there would be some electrical work needed (both in the bedroom and to clean up some DIY wiring by the current home owner.)    So adding a permit to the process slows everything down right?   I probably can't apply for the permit until I own the house, correct? 

I'm looking for some advice on how to use the next 45 days wisely so that once I take possession of the house we can hit the ground running...