Sometimes the best investment is found in a 'transitioning' market that is just outside the 'great' market and is in play to be the next great one. 

One was FHA financed (97%) another was a VA mortgage assumption, and one was seller financed first mortgage. 

Thus, I’m going thru background and experience checks of GCs, with relevant experience before selecting one instead of using my usual crew which doesn’t have such experience.

The $500 plus install is probably fine, the $3,000 one is probably stupid.

My issue is properties have appreciated a lot since the last one.

It doesn't have to be one extreme or the other.

Hi,I have been looking at some of the resources for inspecting properties and estimating costs on this site, and the ones I have seen are detailed spreadsheets and multi-page checklists.

That's the one I'd listen to. 

You can talk to him / his team in the monthly meeting but they're on an agenda so don't expect to much one-on-one type support there.  

One Panhandle County I talked to the tax assessor about this one time and this particular property she said the guy was old and had no money so they felt sorry for him and didn't foreclose until he passed.