Of course, you can hire a local inspector to confirm work is done before final payment, but that all requires some pretty decent process management.

Also, I like your podcast; it's been really helpful.The need to point out what someone doesn't know and how poorly they have constructed a forum post doesn't help anyone. 

I ALWAYS recommend a buyer attend the inspection and walk around with the inspector.

In a real estate borrowing context it's most commonly used in construction and bridge debt originated by banks.  

Seller accepted my very low offer because the prior buyer walked away when the inspector informed him the septic was corroded.

@Danilo Grullon, quick google search says average architectural work is 10-20% of overall construction cost.  

There is much less new supply of single family homes, so the rental rates are flat to up a little; this does depend on the neighborhood though, in some of the fringe areas where there is a lot of new single family home construction the rents are a little softer.

Ask your home inspector questions.

I just got off a call yesterday with a investor group with a bunch of blue island buildings,  from there experience tenants have been pretty good but the buildings are older and a lot of unexpected problems have arisen so I would say make sure to have a good inspector and some reserves incase work is needed and its a good area to cash flow.

Do yo typically get a construction loan then need to refinance out ?