So have a great loan officer that understands those programs, and doesn't just push you to FHA.#6. 

A common strategy used by investors, such as those operating through PadSplit, involves purchasing the property, completing basic rehab, refinancing, and then using cash for the interior build-out.Another potential red flag, even without converting common areas, is the addition of individual locks on bedroom doors.

Quote from @Chris Seveney: @Zach EdelmanBe clear BP does not recommend companies - companies pay to advertise on BP and while BP I assume vets them - it’s still buyer bewareI am not an employee of BP but I want people to understand on BP and on most sites there are sponsors and affiliates but they may not be thoroughly vetted.

& track my job costs against each category so I can compare my budget vs actuals and calculate the variances.For example:Electrical Budget: $4,000Electrical Actual: $6,300Variance: +$2,300This process is more tedious because you have to breakdown each invoice or receipt and allocate the costs to each Category, but it really helps you understand where you are spending your money and why you went over budget.Otherwise, it sounds like you are having trouble measuring employee productivity?  

@Jonathan Cooper - Sounds like a short-tax year is involved.

That approach might not serve the seller well, especially since the goal is to genuinely help them by offering a reliable quick solution.My current thought is to focus on networking and building a solid and extensive buyers list and understanding their ideal investment criteria upfront.

The key is to understand the capital stack, who is in line in front of you and what are their terms.The people who are getting burned may have known there was debt in front of them, but did they know it was short term or variable - did they know all the details to make a good judgment on the investment.If a property had 20 year fixed debt at 70% would you take that over 3 year debt on a variable rate at 50%? 

The BRRRR calculator may help you understand this better as the results are shown in three different phases - rehab, post rehab and then post refinance.

It's true that many buyers rely on some kind of financing, so understanding their funding process is key.

Having a clear understanding of these will help you avoid costly mistakes.