(Unless you have found a way to gain muscle by reading!

Are you looking to develop apartments and retain ownership or build lofts/condos for sale?

I guess the real question is how much of the security deposit do I insist on retaining--if I'm totally in the wrong and I need to give it all back, so be it (though obviously the least favorable outcome).

(other than the tree you mentioned.)It is good that you note the lots are flat, that should eliminate the need for any dirt haul in/off, and any retaining walls. 

My mgmt Corp is retained by my commercial property LLCs for PM and maintenance/repairs.  

Thanks Kyle - by stable, are you referring to retaining tenants, or just wrapping the construction up?

New kitchen, bathroom, flooring, paint, driveway, patio, retaining wall.

There are some great study tools that can help you retain the material, but you do need to make a commitment and put in the effort to prepare.

We'll offer a bit of our time for free to help them and earn credibility, but then you have to hire us a pay a retainer fee or we cut you off.Hopefully, you understand the economics of this and you're not one of "those" investors who thinks everyone should offer them everthing for free!

I'd retain 50%+ of the required equity.