And, as Jon indicated, in my area, permits can only be pulled by licensed GCs.So, when we need to pull permits on jobs where we wouldn't otherwise have a GC, we have a GC that will pull the permits, check in on work and call in for inspections for a flat fee per project ($1000-1500, depending on the number of inspections).It's a good deal for him (only a couple hours of work) and a good deal for us, though he obviously needs to trust that we'll do everything to code and in a workman-like manner...

I hate, HATE the idea of paying a flat fee regardless of performance.

I have had good luck finding 2,3, and 4 flats in the Chicago area.

I assume so.I'm looking at a contractor who specializes in doing turns for a flat rate.

If you have completed any amount of short sales you do upfront work first to not waste time.Never take what a seller says at face value.They will tell you anything to try and get help to solve a problem but the issue is they don't know they are hurting instead of helping.The problem with sellers is at first they are motivated to do a short sale.Then as time goes on and credit is ruined and they have moved out they become emotionally detached from the property.The buyer have unrealistic time lines to close for a short sale.You need to know if your market is declining,flat,or appreciating every month.If it's appreciating or flat the benefit is to the buyer.If it is declining the benefit is to the bank because by the time it close it might have lost 5 to 10 percent of value from the contract price.Your bank actually moved pretty quick with the short sale compared to some others.A buyer and a seller need to understand it could take 3 to 6 months or longer to do a short sale.A friend of mine that is another broker in Florida has completed over 800 short sales.He is a master at them.I did residential for a few years but then moved to commercial so I haven't kept up with all the regulatory junk on the residential side.He does all residential and does not take the short sale unless the seller agrees to certain conditions from the beginning.

I just put a 2 Flat Greystone under contract from this source

While I'm open to pretty much any type of partnership opportunity (if the deal is right), the rehabs I've been doing for other investors have mostly been just a flat-fee type of arrangement where I come in and take care of all details of the rehab.Basically, I consult on the level of rehab and finishes, put together the deal analysis, help put together the budget/schedule, and then bring in my contractors, manage them day-to-day and complete the rehab for the investor as we've agreed (or as he wants).

on the 'old' style flat shingles it worked but you could count on shorter shingle life cause they dont lay as flat.

Example you are planning on formica in your repair estimate but a majority are using granite etc.2.Is your area increasing,decreasing,or flat in pricing and by what percentage each month??

Giving the investor some of your upside also solves misaligned goals that are baked into the arrangement when you borrow money.