I enjoy helping and talking REI!

Don’t assume they are valid, especially if your borrower uses unlicensed contractors, but understand what’s going on and what you might eventually contest or pay.Verify property taxes have been paid.

Don't just hire a contractor a PM and tell them to fix the property.

Hello All,I am a remodel contractor and have moved into flipping homes especially in the higher end nieghborhoods like N.

Why use a general contractor?

However, after reflection, I realized I was becoming too emotionally attached to my first investment after a 15-year break and faced challenges finding reliable contractors.Update (5/17/23):After three failed contractor attempts, I finally secured a reliable one.

Finding good contractors is always a struggle for investors! 

buying a money pit you haven't seen in a market you don't know thousands of miles away, and then being beholden to agents and contractors and others you've never met.https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/1137397-balti...https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/1160450-run-i...https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/963/topics/1195280-expe...the market right now is unforgiving and it's going to take something difficult or creative to be successful. 

you mentioned you might want "a gem that doesn't need major structural repairs, and luck out on a contractor."

It took me 4 years to be able to buy 8 properties (had to sell 1 but that is a different story) so have 7 currently with 25 units which is just enough for me to get by on and to be able to pay my contractor each month.