The best thing to do would be to consult an attorney, but likely, that is not an option for everyone starting out.I'm not an attorney, and this is not legal advice, but some of the information that we include in our contracts is:- A clear scope of work - Payment schedule / Milestones- Change order approval process- Allowances for finished materials- Reasons to terminate the contract- Expectations for start date (X amount of time after final plans /permits are received or X amount of time after the contract is executed)- General schedule and timeline (This is where you could specify an end date - however it may be better use incentives rather than liquidated damage if your general contractor is late - we've done both, but found General Contractors respond better to getting something if they get done early instead of being punished for being late. 

Actually, YES, not only MAY the act of simply showing a property factually create "procuring cause" and be inclusive of a protected list, BUT just the action of having sent an e-mail of the listing, client having opened and seen that listing, not ever setting foot on premises, YES, that alone CAN be "procuring cause" and LEGALLY include such property into a protected list. 

Talk to a lender and see what you area approved for.

The company hesitated to proceed with any further legal action and asked me to give them some time.

I have 2 cars that we are trying to exclude the payment from for dti ratios.One was owned at $852 monthly payment (this was refinanced to remove borrower from the loan)this one is giving me a problem because they are asking for payoff but honda is saying they take up to 10 days to be able to send it.Any guidance on a way to get this closed sooner would be great, seller is on a tight timeline.Second one is a lease that we have had approval to terminate (for $2600 fee) and then that one would be excluded.

Applying the same criteria consistently helps protect you legally.2.

This is why the agencies don't let you swap out management companies, or engage in unexpected mass-renovations (as opposed to simply renovating on turnovers), without their prior approval.

If you do research ahead of time, what are some red flags that would cause you to back out of a deal or add a couple thousand to the deal cost for legal battles/ cash for keys?

@Zack KorensteinMy tax firm shares some clients with @Scott Smith and his legal firm.

My First Multifamily Full Cycle Success Story: From Busy Attorney to Real Estate InvestorI’m thrilled to share the complete journey of my first real estate investment—a 44-unit multifamily property in Lawrence, KS—from acquisition to exit.Balancing a full-time legal career and fatherhood, real estate seemed like an impossible dream.