If a contractor is insisting on a payment of some sort to get the project started, I'll pay his supplier directly for the materials and get a receipt for the purchase.  

As for vendors, what are you talking about, suppliers of material or subs? 

There haven't been any indication that a new primary job supplier will be coming into the area anytime soon to drive up demand (and therefore the price of the property), especially not in the next 2 years, so I would say that 200,000 is a stable price to sell at since you are making a profit from initial investment. 

Make it look like you are really looking hard and take lots of notes even if they are total BS.Wait a week or two.Get back to her and tell her that you sharpened your pencil and beat up your suppliers, and that some of the work you were going to contract out you are pretty sure you can do yourself.

@Adam:Depending on which of the Drake models you are considering, they score relatively well on the MaP test, though be warned that most of them are not HET nor WaterSense certified, so will not help reduce your water consumption.Champion does not appear to have submitted their models for testing.We have been using Niagara Conservation 1.28usg single-flush HET, flapperless model for the past couple of years (MaP score >1000) in all our renovations and replacements ... installed more than 30 so far and have had one with a defective fill valve ... which the supplier replaced in an hour.

She recorded my presentation then copied it and after we had closed a few deals she went behind our backs to our suppliers and found someone who would pay her more money per house and started presenting my material.  

You've really got two good choices.Go to a law text supplier and find a compilation of statute and case law.  

Whether we are ordering from a tile supplier, or hiring a landscaper to spruce up the curb appeal on an upcoming new build.

He did NOT get a draw until that stage of work was complete, subs, suppliers were paid by our attorney & signed off that they had been paid in full. 

I have great relationships with suppliers and am able to purchase excess material for a huge discount.