The best place to start is with planning and zoning department to help you understand if you can do what you want to do and the requirements and issues like sprinklers, parking, setbacks, lot coverage utilities etc. 

Utilize technology to face time or do video walkthroughs to check progress. 

Utilities, hard money loans draw fees, insurance, and you may need to pay contractors before you get the wire on the draw.

Louisville, KY, home of the Kentucky Derby, is just across the river, a medium sized city, lots of sports, lots of theater, lots of things to do!

@Ben TheriaultHope this will help - here are the utility numbers from my duplex in Old Town for the past year.

If your income has taken a hit as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, or you fear it's about to, the good news is that you may be able to get some relief from your mortgage, credit cards, regular bills, utilities, car loan and more.

@Natalie Allen are utilities separate?

Looks like Airbnb hosts will get some relief under the coronavirus stimulus package about to pass Congress.The current language includes two provisions that could help short-term rental owners that are struggling:Hosts testing positive for Covid-19, or hosts with family members testing positive with the virus, would be eligible to apply for unemployment benefits.Hosts are also eligible to apply for small business loans to cover your mortgage and utility bills and possibly independent contractors like cleaners.This will be welcome news to a lot of our clients in Denver and Colorado Springs (as well as Erin and I, as we own an STR duplex in the Springs with some partners).

You can look to network with these types of lenders on BP as well. a good article explaining the function and utilities of each is: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/hard-money-private-money-difference>Search for foreclosures on the BP site under the "find deals" tab.

So if you collect last up front, it becomes a double security deposit, instead, which can be a problem in some states.On the other hand, there are charities set up to help people get that deposit and last month's rent if required, so you may be able to get it in your area.Edit to add, I ALWAYS require full security deposit and utilities in their name (more deposits they pay) for all S8 tenants.