Money for the down-payment, for the loan closing costs, for carrying the loan until your exit strategy, for the first milestone of Rehab and most of all for contingencies...

The draws are tied to mile stones, so they don't want to cut a check every time you complete something worth a couple grand and would rather cut a check for five figures at a time.

@Aaron Wyssmann  Im sure you've have some major milestones in life that at one point you didn't think were possible or you didn't think it was capable for you to do.

At certain milestones, the contractor will list work that has been completed.

We've officially crossed the 100,000 member milestone here at BiggerPockets!

Have a goal and steps to achieve it, with milestones and deadlines...I don't want to sound judgmental, but you seem to leave a boss for another boss.

Since it's family, it's arguably more important to ensure you're doing what you can to preserve those relationships.I would recommend having a contract, complete with milestone check in dates so there isn't an unending sense of feeling like you're on the clock. 

Also if you can make a connection with someone or even the agent, I would be willing and offer to pay someone to check in on the progress of the project during certain milestones.  

Josh,Congratulations on reaching a great milestone.

Rich:Thanks for sharing your experiences here, it really enriches the rest of us.Perhaps you might share what sort of 'milestones' you set for your grandkids for receiving their shares.And you mentioned excluding those with drug or alcohol-related convictions.