My crystal ball is murky. 

They had the balls to step in when everyone was running away.

I appreciate the raw truth as im ready to get the ball rolling one way or another. 

It does have me wondering, should I make a super low ball offer, like the land value only, and then just knock the house down and build a new one?

Talk about a curve ball.

but already there's a curve ball thrown at me...The occupancy inspector office will require that we add a full staircase, either wooden or metal, from the 3rd floor of a brick 3-unit in south STL.  

but already there's a curve ball thrown at me...The occupancy inspector office will require that we add a full staircase, either wooden or metal, from the 3rd floor of a brick 3-unit where I'm buying in St Louis.

I would fear that if performance hurdles aren’t hit in a big way, sponsors lose interest, and then they take their eye off the ball.

If that lender doesn't play ball, then go to another lender.

@Chris Munichiello The crystal ball isn't exactly my thing, but given the *severe* shortage of homes on the market, I expect prices to continue to climb in the short to medium term.As of Q4 2018, Suffolk County (Boston) was down to a 1.3 month supply.