We're positioned to BRRRR (nearing getting our first sfh rent ready) but had to cobble together the rehab due to surprise structural problems, family emergencies, etc, and lean heavily on family for helping get the work done, which is not what I want to do going forward.

Chances are leaning heavily more towards scam.

I’m pretty new, so I’d weight some of the advise from some of the others more heavily.  

These types of goods are heavily impacted by inflation and are generally expected to appreciate.

These types of goods are heavily impacted by inflation and are generally expected to appreciate.

Side note: Rochester, NY is considering (heavily) rent control.

When I see that, I usually take it as good but still consider other factors more heavily like length of employment, length/quality of Landlord reference, etc.

We also want to make sure the jobs aren't too heavily weighted to one industry, so we look at the economic diversity as well. 

I offered to pay the difference of what it actually cost him and 3months rent (so if billed labor was $3k, I’d just pay the GC $150).Reasons why I like this:-Building rapport with this GC and his businesses-I get my reno done professionally at a heavily discounted price or potentially free-unit was going to sit empty anyways during my deployment, but now has a handy guy living in it-short term deal with the GC, at most I would sign a 6 months contract and charge the actual amount beyond the cost of renoThings I am getting done:-Laminate floors install and base boards-Cosmetic touch ups in bathroom (to include dry wall)-new front door/frame install-putting up ceiling fans -replacing cast iron pipes for sewer linesWould it be a good deal, all things considered?

My long term goal is to invest heavily in RE (Buy & Hold) over the next 5-7 years so I can retire comfortably.