It is smaller than the Charleston complex.The buildings at both locations were built in late 1920's so there have been a few unforeseen challenges such as bringing the buildings to current code which included changing sprinkler heads dated from 1917 and 1928, and building new stairwells to the exterior of the building to meet current fire regulations.I enjoy building but I think I like taking old buildings and reusing them more.

When negotiating I'll want to deduct those costs obviously. or should I deduct more from the offer than just what is owed for some unforeseen expense?

But I also know that's not accounting for any unforeseen market swings as well (say the market crashes, we can afford to hold onto the place for years to come).Does anyone see any flaw in my logic?

If you *have to* move because of employment changes, are no longer able to pay for the home, or must leave due to other unforeseen circumstances beyond your control, then the IRS may allow you to claim a partial exclusion proportionate to how long you occupied the property (so, if you lived there for 12 months out of the normally required 24, then you'd get the 50% exclusion.

Unless something unforeseen pops up I'll attend the meetup next Saturday.  

Very unless you qualify due to an unforeseen circumstance change like a job transfer otherwise if you sign papers saying you'll live there for a year, you better honor it or risk mortgage fraud. 

If so I don't see a huge benefit to enacting the smoking ban now unless the other tenants are complaining about it.I would ask yourself if you can't afford a $5000 turnover right now what happens if tenants stop paying and you have to evict or if you have a major unforeseen expense unless the 2nd duplex is a smoking deal maybe you are expanding too fast?

We are taking the opportunity to update the floor plan to something more functional.Despite it being unforeseen and a bit of a headache, it will be positive in the long run.I'd like to take our REI to the next level.

That's actually a bigger risk and you'll be competing with a regular home buyers.The way to minimize your risk is to do a proper analysis to make sure you protect your profit margins and give yourself a some wiggle room if there are unforeseen items to deal with.

If you want a bid that is skin and bones, expect changes, if we feel like you as a client don't know what you're doing, or will likely change your mind and don't want to pay it, I for one will give a healthy bid to cover my unforeseen expenses and I don't want to deal with the headache of a change order, throw in the cushion and pray that it will be enough to absorb client's needs, especially if they don't know what entails a change.