I'd also increase the number of builders you interview. on my last project I gave 85 builders a chance to match my number since I carry a license and only 2 could get to my numbers. 

- ⁠The builders want to charge us $7,500 for backing out.

The Unilin 2g locking system is one of the most efficient ones on the market.I 100% agree the the subfloor/ underlayment/ substrate being attached to as well as how  it was attached to the builder floor(naturally we're not talking cement) is usually the problem in a failed installation. 

we are a fully intergrated real estate developer builder and manager How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

BRRRR is such a powerful wealth builder.

You may even want to consider new construction, many builders are offering huge incentives right now  (buying down your rate to like 4.99 and paying all/most of your closing costs).

It sounds like a whole new set of challenges such as finding builders and starting the business from scratch.Next steps:I could really use some recommendations from this group:We need to find an agent/broker, CPA and lawyer that has experience with thisWe are already speaking to 2 local banks about SBA and conventional loans but are there other options or folks we can speak to?

Hi Jay, licensed agent and general contractor / builder in columbus.

I haven't joined any mentorship programs for Multifamily however I was a part of Fortune Builders program about 8yrs ago and that wasn't cheap BUT it paid off in a big way. 

@Julie Marquez In the past I've hired a builder on a flat rate to build whatever it was I wanted, and that's worked really well.