This will influence what you invest in, probably something you have already done as a financial adviser.Best of luck Adam!

This will also be influenced by the agent the seller has.However, since this is a 6 unit, which means it's someone who went through the trouble of being an investor, and getting commercial financing, they probably think of the property differently, as an asset or investment  and an offer with an attached, here's a "why" I'm not at list price is going to be fine, but I'd make sure your bids are within your budget, because if you are coming across as professional and ready to deal, and then find more repairs on an inspection contingency you may run into resistance.

I personally am more likely to be influenced by fear than greed.

Looking at ~$1.7MM-$2MM (interests rates do have some influence on this). 

Too many consumers complain when they make a bad choice and there are enough of them to influence elections. 

In your wife's case, she was trying to pay down her student loan debt (Dave Ramsy Style) but once you had an influence on her financials you dropped it to the minimum payment so that you could drop the DTI to make your combined financial picture look more appealing to lenders.

The Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee raised the target federal funds rate to 0.75 to 1.00 percent on Wednesday; federal rate hikes typically influence private lenders to raise consumer rates including mortgage rates.In a post-meeting statement, Fed officials said that the federal funds rate remains accommodative and will continue to sustain economic growth and the Fed’s goal for a long-run inflation rate of 2.00 percent.

Reuben Royal:Sales SkillsPeople Skills (How to Win Friends and Influence People)Financial Skills (Robert Kiyosaki)Investing Skills (read a cross-section of real estate books)Management Skills (The E-Myth)Hope that helps you out.Continued success!

Keep her motivated by introducing her to your circle of influence and other investors.

In my opinion that was your 1st mistake, " He who helps plan the battle never battles the plan" from how to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie, a must read.The above means you sit down with the trades individually and discuss there part and ask them what is the best way to move forward and as efficiently as possibly, they will tell you how to develop the schedule and plan, this dose not mean you do and agree with everything they suggest, this give them a say and respect and its there idea, so they think.I have done a few projects and I have never needed signed contracts with the trades, theirs more to managing projects then nuts, screws and wood, you are in the people management 1st and the trades are running there own business to make money, trust me that comes 1st in there minds.Mike