The builder has a contract on the property, so his confidence level is high that it will sell upon completion.3.

Karen, most of the homes in beach areas where you find kitchens and living space on the second floor is when you have hillside where the garage and entry are on that floor and then you go downstairs to bedrooms.If your garage and entry will be on first level, I highly recommend you do kitchen and living areas on first floor with bedrooms on second floor.

In regards to your question of being on the right track it all depends on your market and comfort level.

The home is approximately 1000sq ft. 1 level.

It's usually pretty hard to find a good deal on the MLS since inventory level is pretty low and there are retail buyer willing to pay top dollars.

I pretty much get the concept but am nowhere near the knowledge level I would like to be at in real estate.

For example one property is a foreclosure auction, for my comfort level I want someone there to physically represent me in that process.

Does anyone know a good home buying technique based on my equity level?

Yes, the level is higher, but this step is necessary for a proper installation.Normally, one would tile up to the cabinet and then install shoeboard trim. 

As a note, they told me this even though my loan is performing and not in the full-collection level (I was just asking them about FCL to prep ahead of time)Sounds like @Tim Simmons got the same feedback from FCI as I did, but is adding his representatives to the network to work around it?