It looks likely I'll need a civil engineer which I am looking at now.

I'm actually considering that Sub To community now.

We actually have a project wrapping up in mid city right now.  

I think this is a calculation a lot of homeowners are making right now--especially if they have a low interest mortgage, equity, and their house will cashflow as a rental.The choice is a personal one of course, but I think your future self will thank you if you pull out some equity from your existing home with a HELOC for the downpayment on the next house and a cushion renting your current home, use a property manager as you have other things to do, and buy the next house and do the same thing again.

Securing a good lender can greatly accelerate your real estate investing journey.

However, they may not be ready to sign right now.

Now your cleaner has 200 hours, and you will have to spend at least 201.

My brother had access to the other $160K but ultimately purchased a 4-plex two months later using his own money instead.Currently, its written that if my brother doesn't use the funds then he gets 160k value from the estate extra, as I used my half already but then my dad suggested a 2% annual appreciation on that amount seems fair on the 160k for him, and now he believes it should match his home’s appreciation, which is roughly 5% per year.

Good luck on starting your investment journey!

For now I would not waste the money if you are not renting it out.