Often the meter has been removed due to prior abuse by the resident(breaking the lock) or many remove after a period of inactivityUsually, the supplier will install the meter as part of the connection process. 

Not sure how WI sees a CFD, but since the buyer is never in title, building permits can be an issue, contractors and material suppliers may be limited in their ability to place liens on a property with debts incurred by someone who is not in title.Your assumption that you must have 20% down for seller financing isn't correct, besides, the same equity argument could be made for any installment contract.The seller could finance 100%.

If you have an older owner who has let a property go down hill and wants out, maybe you could improve things to increase revenues.With a C-Store for example, you can change suppliers, run specials, add to the product lines, change how employees interact with customers, advertise, consolidate purchases with other stores and the list goes on to improve profits by management.

The biggest mistake we made was not having our materials suppliers in place, which took additional time.  

Check with the supplier that filled it, they may or may not do a buy back at a discount.

Every sub and supplier you deal with wants a deposit, but your construction draw isn't going to fund until the materials are installed. 

But a note, nothing your gc signs can prevent subs/suppliers from filing liens if they follow proper procedures, and have not been paid.  

You're a merchant and no merchant can keep the doors open without knowing his product, knowing his customer and knowing the suppliers.

The problem in my state is that the supplier can file a lein.

I too am looking for a decent supplier here in Atlanta for my flips.