300k purchase + 10-15k closing + 80k remodel + 5k for refinance costs. 80k remodel number I got from my father who is a general contractor in the area. 500k ARV x .80% refi (because it would be my primary residence) = 400k minus 15k closing, 80k remodel, 5k refi cost = 300k my original purchase price.

Could you have the house rewired and plumbed by the world's slowest plumber and electrician?

I don't think it's the end of the world @Jonathan Greene...if it still helps someone learn something new there is at least some positive.In my opinion, those trolls will get seen for who they really are in the long run, so it is just a short-term play...that I don't know is worth worrying much about.I'd rather someone say, "Here is a question we often get asked as a general contractor: how much does it cost to dig down a Chicago basement?  

Do you recommend using a general contractor, or would it be more cost-effective to handle it myself with subcontractors?

Of course if you are required to pay off the 2% mortgage then your cash on cash ROI goes way down, but with a 30% equity cushion you’re still way ahead.I really dislike contractor for deed, lease option, or not recording warranty deed as “solutions” for the due on sale clause.  

No matter which path you take in real estate, surrounding yourself with professionals from different fields—contractors, lenders, brokers, investors.

@Stuart Bartle - If you are interested in Chicago and looing for some boots on the ground and building you team...I am happy to make some connections with lenders, agents, contractors, etc.Do you have a specific area of Chicago that you are looking in?

Do you have your contractors set up? 

They are contractors after all.

To do so, I need an initial team who can cover the following aspects of these projects:- Wholesaler- Contractor (Inspection oriented)- Equity Partners (Project Incentives)Once the deals are in place, the financing support will be through personal capital for upfront costs, with the intention to raise private capital and include hard-money lenders as-needed.