Which is why my wife and I have chosen to start our design-build company here!

But I need to be able to move in to the specific unit I have chosen for myself.

Is there a specific reason why you've chosen this particular property to be your first real estate investment? 

Our estimates for the renovation and addition are $25K - $35K (depending on floor plan and options chosen).  

Do go through the reading materials that @Chad Urbshott so kindly pointed out, pick a few properties on the auction list and perform some initial due diligence on those, and then just go to the auction to sit there - but observe closely what happens with your chosen properties.

I have chosen the wholesale route to generate enough funds to eventually start the buy-and-hold method.

Optional path to completion if so chosen.

Fisrst of all, the times you have recently chosen to bust my balls has been on opinions of mine that I have made.

I have no idea what strategy you're going to be executing but I think if I were to pay someone $200 an hour I'd want them to be a "provable" expert in my chosen strategy.

The OC is the return that is not taken, it is the lost opportuniy, so it is gone or a cost not chosen, the chosen investment is at least equal but usually greater.This is an important factor to consider when you negoiate for money, where else can the lender make more or the borrower get it for less?