Our builder didn't include permits, excavation or landscaping.

I got landscape, janitorial, and plumbing under my belt but I think I'm able to learn other trades real quick.

@Wayne Brooks I was thinking of expenses like appliances, landscaping, other improvements that are not required to make the property ready but are added.On a related note, what if you cannot get a W9?

On Apex, it might alter the real estate investment landscape in the future but it has not as of today.

I think about that in my mind and evaluate neighborhoods whether they're better or worse than where I've lived.A-level: New houses, custom built homes, pretty landscaping, pride of ownership is apparent, big backyards, high re-sale value, good schools, low crime. (~4-6 bedrooms here).B-level: Similar criteria to A-level but without the custom built homes, 2-income families can afford to live here and raise a family, backyards for the kids, 1500-2000 sq ft houses (~3 bed/2-bath homes).C-level: Majority of houses under 100K, visual repairs needed in this neighborhood, 1200 sq ft average, houses close together, some properties worn down, grass not cut, porch awnings sagging, concrete stairs crumbling a bit.D-level: Struggling neighborhoods, garbage on the streets, bars on the windows, higher crime, crowded areas, downtown city area, wouldn't want to walk around here at night.F-level: War-zone, "get me outta here" property, makes you nervous to enter the neighborhood even in daylight.That's my basic approach when I think about properties and what areas make the most sense to invest in.

I am from KCMO, so i'd like to think I am familiar with the landscape.

The dues cover such community expenses as snow removal, landscaping, and expenses for maintenance of common areas.

:P Hubby works at UPS 15 hrs a week for incredible insurance, he owns and landscaping business, makes furniture, does odd jobs and recently buying at auctions and reselling.

If construction is done behind you then your lot will require all its own setbacks and landscaping requirements....

Good thing we installed cheap carpet, the tile floors only had to be cleaned, because they couldn't destroy it.Also don't put landscaping just throw gravel because they won't take care of it.