The 1000 I talk to stand a chance-but they are typically NASA engineers or other post graduate level mathematics professionals and willing to lose in trading the first three years.

After spending 25 years as a Software Engineering and Product leader, I’m now exploring the world of real estate investing (REI) and looking forward to learning from all of you.My goal is to leverage my current investments and savings to build a real estate portfolio that will eventually allow me to transition away from my current career.

We rent an environmental screen database that provides us with a 24 hour turnaround environmental screen and engineer evaluation of the report. 6.

These methods include: Detailed Engineering Cost ApproachDetailed Engineering Cost Estimate ApproachSurvey or Letter ApproachResidual Estimation ApproachSampling or Modeling ApproachExperience or “Rule of Thumb” ApproachIt’s important to understand the differences between the approaches including which one best fits your property and the reliability of each approach.DETAILED ENGINEERING COST APPROACHThis approach compiles the costs from construction and accounting reports to build a report.

Also, I don't like the use of more exotic structures/financial engineering which increase risk ( and aren't necessary when good real estate is purchased at a good price with solid fundamentals). 

If.a general inspector sees something of concern they will then recommend a structural engineer review the property. 

Hotel grade furniture will often be sturdy, but less aesthetic. 

I'll have an engineer look it over and stamp off before I move ahead.

Then I would speak with a land surveyor or civil engineer to get a sense of what it would take to obtain all the entitlements and bring in the utilities, etc.     

Engineered cost segregation studies is an area in which many people have a lot of questions about.