Please reply with anyone you've worked with and was happy with their results in the following areas of work:Framer carpenter (I need a wall cut out to create a counter top bar between kitchen & dining room)Kitchen/Bath Cabinets (refinished on one wall & new ones installed on the other)Tile (shower surround and kitchen back splash)Granite Counter top installationPainter (paint full 2 br/bth condo, all walls & ceilings, framework, & possibly fireplace and cabinets)I appreciate your help in advance!

Downside: It cuts into your bottom line increasing expenses, having to endure ridiculous rules that may not make sense to you or your tenants, restrictions on the number of units the HOA allow to be non-owner occupied (The HOA can decide to limit, reduce or expand the number of non-owner occupied units at any time).

(DO Ask for receipts if it's for material deposits.)Share competing bid information and "bid shop".Encourage bidders to get into a bidding war.Try to low-ball contractors.....they will try to cut corners or make it up with change orders a lot of times.And finally, DON'T assume that "All Contractors are Crooks" or that "All Contractors Will Rip You Off".  

IKEA sells countertops in one piece square slabs (for islands) and cut to measure for counter tops - that can be fit into the back of a Dodge Grand Caravan with the back seats removed. 

Do not cut corners to make something look better.  

I only ask because I am in the same boat, working a full time job as a construction project manager but wanting to get my license to be able to show myself homes and cut out the sales agent commission.

Do not cut any corners to make something of something will not hurt you financially.  

The key is knowing if a national or regional tenant would want to go in there.Larger spaces I have seen entertainment complexes, workout facilities, churches, indoor trampolines, outlet stores, etc.Additionally you can take a large space and cut it up to lease to multiple tenants at higher rates per sq ft.   

Rehab condo, sell it, he takes his cut and pays you the down payment and refinances that house while you take the profit from condo.

You can short-cut this a bit by looking at the hot markets.