As far as loans for the purchase look into sight unseen loan programs for auctions Gives you 85% of the purchase with an adjustable rehab budget that covers 100% of the rehab upto 70% of the arv (Most of these properties you will not be able to get inside for an appraisal or to formulate an accurate construction budget) 

Second, our local knowledge helps us make disciplined decisions, getting strategic benefits from our investors’ private funding.We’ve grown very familiar with Denver over the last six years.

Hello fellow investors.After watching various podcasts and YouTube videos and audiobooks and of course reading various posts on here, I am looking to formulate my RE team. 

Here's where it gets odd.Jack wants me to be the sole borrower on the property, on our joint project.Jack wants me to not tell the bank about my source of rehab funds because it'll "complicate things with the bank"The bank has capped my borrowing limit at $250,000, which is above the necessary $295,000 to do the deal.As a workaround, Jack will be the sole provider of rehab funds (personal funds, cash)Jack wants me to give him one of my personal checks so he can write future offers.Is this a strategic way to expedite the rehab-lending process?

@Mike Dymski I'll vote for taking (strategic) action, Invest $100. 

This is not to say I have not bought vacant as I have on several occasions but it has to be a strategic purpose (ie I have a contractor on area who will buy it from me and we have a ballpark price already determined).

I've been interested in REI for several years but haven't had the opportunity and knowledge to get in strategically.

Let me see if I can formulate my question -- this is for anybody here that has had any experience with custom home builders that knock down old, small, 1950-era houses and put up 3,500 - 4,000 square foot mini-mansions that go for $800-$900K.I got a seller that has asked me to come look at their house down around 610 in the Heights. 

This is all a learning process, and while I am anxious, I want to be strategic about this.

It's very important to think strategically when attempting a 1031 in a sellers market - for the same reasons you're feeling nervous.