The first draw would be to pay off the existing lender and subsequent draws would be for the actual build out. 

Typically if you are paying a business such as a Corporation or LLC, a W9 and subsequent 1099 filing are not required.

Law firms have cratered and taken investors money with them.. so I want a wire not wait for a check that might not clear.

I don't think it was mentioned yet, but once you lower the price and get a decent tenant, then you can always get that 3-5% raise in rents in subsequent years/leases.

The tenant was found unconscious by the fire department at the property (suspected smoke inhalation), was conscious on the way to the hospital in an ambulance, though was subsequently put into an induced coma due to soot in lungs.

On the second project determine how many subsequent projects you expect to perform and decide if you want to learn how to manage the project (i.e. be the GC). 

Supreme Court's Howey case and subsequent case law have found that an "investment contract" (aka securities offering) exists when there is the investment of money in a common enterprise with a reasonable expectation of profits to be derived from the efforts of others.

My understanding is that competition is significant in Charlotte proper, and because of that (and also because I will be in Belmont, not Charlotte), I plan on wholesaling and subsequently rehabbing in Gaston County.

If you already paid a finder's fee, and that led to other projects, you shouldn't be responsible for subsequent finder's fees. 

I’ll dig into each of the main asset classes on future blogs to help you continue to refine your search for the perfect first or subsequent investment.