My client plan is to demolish and do new construction within 1 year.

Hey @Chi Lo - I actually have a video on my YouTube page about this (lookup ClosedByMo on YouTube).Regarding walls being damp and waterproofed, it means there needs to be waterproofing on the basement retainer walls (this is something you can do post-construction and the contractors would need to dig around the house exposing the basement/foundation to apply the waterproofing). 

I'm presently a facilities engineer by trade, who does some construction and maintenance for landlords on the side, hoping to get back into the private real estate game.

. - Rents are also a function of supply - 2024 saw the most new construction of multifamily units in American history (nearly 575,000 estimated 2024 deliveries of new multifamily inventory), and 2025, while not a record setting year, will see deliveries top 500,000 again - a huge supply increase. 

Is this home in the beach a new construction or an existing home?  

I could also add there is often construction in central Houston and it does cause unforseen issues. 

-Why not include a contingency line item in your construction loan rather than raise the contingency funds from your equity partners?

Best bet is to carefully analyze the zoning maps and regulations or just call the town and ask.

Especially now, I am seeing a lot of people who bought during or right after the COVID pandemic and are in situations where they simply cannot sell their homes for any profit (many of them bought as new construction).

I see a lot of new construction in Richmond and Berea as I travel from Lex nearly every day im excited to see how the mega site in Mt Vernon and Richmond grow these areas What surrounding areas of Lexington are you seeing more activity?