Seller will be warmer knowing its in escrow and the sale is going down the assembly-line. 

My thoughts are that there should be ways to make the period without stairs shorter, for example, pre-assemble as much as possible and hire a dedicated team.

@Gary Wildey if you do decide to invest out of state I highly advise that you have a solid team assembled (RE agent, lender, contractor, property management).

Now I want to go to the next level and assemble my own guys. 

You need to become an expert at properly analyzing deals and assembling a pro forma package to present to investors.

First-time Investor from San Diego, CA. looking to assemble a team on the KC/MO market, I will like to get my first property in the next 3 months, my strategy will be BRRRR and my goal for this year is 4 SFR.Thanks to everyone in advance!

Just a few items; lumber prices are up 325%, conduit is up 50%, any product which is produced with materials from one country and assembled in a different country is taking 3x the normal lead time, at best.  

The chips, the components in your fridge etc. are frequently manufactured in multiple countries before being assembled in the US.

Take in the measurements, they will do the layout and sell you ready to assemble cabinets.You'll still need someone to fabricate the countertops.

Paying a contractor to assemble this, versus us doing it.