Before closing, we were informed by the city that the person that had the house under contract before us (deal fell through) used a lawyer to have the lots split and the addresses updated/ changed.

Your legal fee for your own lawyer will be around $750 to $1,000.

I'm trying to understand the realistic timing, tips, pitfalls and any recommended lawyers as well. 

However, I HIGHLY suggest working with a lawyer to structure proper asset protection.

Any work I need in real estate that I can't do, I outsource (accountant, lawyer, contractors, handyman, property manager (on some properties), software, brokers etc.  

I would push the insurance company on this…you really aren’t the lawyers client the insurance company is.

@Michael Smythe Speaking as a homeowner/investor and NOT a lawyer.

=> I'm not a lawyer and this is not legal advice, I would not sign a contract that has a "no assignment clause" in it. 4) Once I have the contract do I just shoot an email to all the investors to let them know or one at a time to see if they're interested first?

She said “HUD didn’t say this but our lawyer said to do it”.

I would steer clear of 'just any lawyer'.