We haven't been able to sit down and really focus on what will be the best investment project...but...we should get on a zoom call and discuss it in more detail. 

Your total project cost is only ~ $143k. 3c) Your interest rate is probably going to be in the low to mid 7s, at least4) All states/areas are different, but I usually see with my CFO clients that their property taxes are higher than their insurance, with taxes often 1.5x higher than insurance.5) Lastly, I saw PM fee of 8%, are you paying someone else to manage this?

Then you will be stuck with a potential rehab project.

You can dig into cash flow projections, tax benefits, ROI calculations, etc.

If you're open to rehab projects, North Charleston and Hanahan have value-add opportunities for appreciation.

Now, I help the same type of clients get financing (both construction and long term) for their projects.

For electronic payments, use multi-user approval thresholds in your banking portal.Segregate duties: Builder submits AIA docs → Your team verifies lien waivers/notarization → Separate approver releases funds.Structural Safeguards:Hold accounts under an LLC (not personally) with clear operating agreements.Use project-specific bank accounts – no commingling.Your $1k threshold is too low – focus controls on major disbursements.

Financial Projections: Compare the projected monthly cash flow from renting (especially with an ADU) to the net profit from selling after costs.

I do not do residential REI even with a projection of double that.  

This route also provides access to capital to fund some larger purchases in the next 5 years (roof, HVAC, siding, windows on rental property and last projects on primary residence) in the form of a HELOC if we were to go the route of a first lien HELOC/All In One mortgage.