Negotiating seller concessions, networking with local investors, and learning property management skills have been key to finding deals with strong long-term potential.Good luck!

Paulette, it is good to call out these bad contractors and unfortunately you are caught in a bad situation on what to do, start by a small threat that you will contact the BBB and report a claim if he does not show some progress, or if you know an attorney, maybe a simple letter from one may get him worried and he may start showing up.

Very simple way to take 1003s.

But shorter term debt greatly amplifies risk.  

Frankly I’m not sure how profitable they are long term.

As easy as this sounds, it's not simple and usually like pulling teeth.

@Chris Hains  all in price , vs what you are expecting to sell it for , KEEP IT SIMPLE.

Do you still recommend using a real estate CPA or is their tax professionals that specialize in the more simple investor situations like mine?

For the couple hundred in extra 'cash flow' you get by doubling a payment's term, I'd much rather be done with it sooner. 

Once your build contract is signed and the build deposit is received, it's not just a matter of filling out some simple paperwork to start the permitting process.