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By a professional estimate I mean having a contractor bid the work, not just me estimating the jobs. 

Most people selling properties are not professional investors.

Very professional, reasonable fees.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

I hired him towards the end to finish the kitchen.

what I saw happen personally was a revolt. instead of cash call to the original GP they used that cash to hire attorney and boot the GPs out with threats of bad things to happen to them.. a couple of the LPS stepped into the GP roll with the attorney guiding them and well folks then put more money in and the projects were ultimately lost a few years later. 

This agreement is just like a listing agreement when you go list a home, you are hiring the right person for the job, so this is the same type of contract, but this person is hired to find you the right home. 

Sounds like you have a pretty poor security system.Even with a good security system, having a tenant provide ID is the first step in a professional screening process. 

As I'm new to this domain, I would to hire a consultant to perform some zoning and other due diligence activities.