I guarantee you can find a younger, more upstart builder in your market who would be over the moon to have a PARTNER in things to pump up volume in a rapid sense, and would cut a far better deal.

My survey is 7 years old and we cannot locate the stakes even after cutting all brush back.

My issue is that we are finally through planning and I am at my last step before construction which is obtaining a curb cut permit from NHDOT.

However, lately I have been seeing appraisals come in lower than anticipated so be prepared for a value cut (Subject to your market of course)Lastly, you can do a delayed purchase and use 100% of the initial cost so as long as the loan amount does not exceed 75% of the new appraised value.

If you are just starting out, get your finances in good shape because it's likely going to be death by a thousand cuts getting a property to market. 

If you don't want to get your lenders in trouble, pick up a copy of Lend to Live in the BP bookstore for both of you to educate yourself on how to do it the proper way so that it's a true business transaction and not cutting corners just because you know each other personally. 

Then, if you could cut 30" out of the top elevation you would be in compliance. 

@Jon DawesI personally prefer liquidity and flexibility and like you said so many variables which is why it's never clear-cut in personal finance.  

Been watching this market a little bit from afar, and can’t believe the massive price cuts!

If this is a refinance, a lot of lenders are looking at values more closely and will either agree with the appraised value, require a secondary report, or just cut the value all together.