It's not that uncommon for sellers to not allow inspection but what it means is usually cash-only, as-is, and usually this type of deal is done by experienced investors who have a plan plus the budget to scrape and redevelop or fully rehab and reposition the property. 6. 1920 build... unless you can inspect the electrical, plumbing, structure, sewer line, roof, mechanicals, etc. these are all unknowns that can be very expensive to repair (potentially more than the building is worth). 

It's not uncommon to overbid on these properties. 

You're probably asking for a Purple Squirrel - it's an HR term referring to a company who wants an agency to find a candidate with such specific and uncommon traits as to be virtually non-existent.

First part will be all about common ways, as credit on mortgage etc. but the second one will be about uncommon ways.

What were some things I should look out for, and what mistakes (common & uncommon, big or small) have you made starting out?

So only one unit wouldn’t have designated parking but this is not uncommon for studios, plus, there’s a ton of street parking right outside the unit.  

@Salvatore LentiniIn the Bay Area it's typically 5-6%, though I have seen and paid higher.As @Joel Owens notes, it's not uncommon here for the percentages to reduce for months 120+.

It usually triggers intangible tax, so not uncommon to pay that.

. - That stinks and isn't an uncommon thing to hear. 

Whether any of these new facilities will make it to completion and create long-term employment opportunities is hard to say.It's also not uncommon to see new businesses built from the ground up, then within a few years they scale back drastically or shut down completely.