Best exercise is going on a job site and working with a contractor line item on pricing.  

And as rates, economic sentiment, politics and seasonality shift in the 3 to 6 months to get market ready it can change by 20- 50k so a little bit of Crystal ball is needed.Best of luck.

This way when they try to low ball me I have my own appraisal ready to go.Or - should I just request a PMI cancelation from Citizens bank and wait to see what their appraisal comes back at.Or - am I going about this all completely wrong?

I could have easily paid for it, but I did it myself for the exercise.

I am ready to get the ball rolling on the road to financial freedom.

I can't tell you how many times I had to pick up the ball and do someone else's job besides mine in the process or else I'd never close the deal.Hard Money terms you can find:If brand spanking new and are a 0% - you will find 75% or 80%, maybe 85% if the deal spread is very good and your credit is very good. 

These are some really easy steps to push the ball forward and provide opportunity in the real estate space! 

Investors love talk about leveraging contractors but when your starting out DIY something, get the ball rolling, and learn.

Buy a cheap pair of decent basketball shoes and a ball. 

My guess is a slim ball agent pooped on his waffles one morning and I am truly sorry he has those feelings.