Ensure dependencies are managed to prevent bottlenecks.

I have included snippets of your message and my replies or comments in bold.What investor meetups I should attend- BP rules prevent posting outside events/meetups here.

Then there's misaligned incentives players in the construction industry may make more money the longer a project takes to get completed. 

I like the idea of a hold back until the punchlist is complete, but that doesn't prevent an unscrupulous contractor from stealing the initial deposit...

You can only do so much to prevent worst-case scenarios  EXACTLY!!!

I am going to look into this and see if there's no restrictions that could prevent me from doing so.

Meanwhile, waiting 4 months will cost me $3,500 in interest, - though less than a second DSCR - and will prevent me from making another purchase and rehab, which I potentially can do all in 4 months.

Because you state your goal is to prevent liability I don’t think the LLC will do you any good.

Interesting - I have been investing in Philly for 8 years, run a  group of 2500 small landlords, speak at lots of events, know and network with many of the players  . . . but never heard of him before.

Laws are now passed that prevent you from renting to yourself and claiming all the losses.