Later I find out from the tenant that the tenant pays their rent early and has already paid January’s rent.

Contractors, unless you have a working relationship with them, normally do not want you bouncing ideas off them.Understand what their hourly rate is, have a discussion with them that you are okay with paying them an hourly rate if they walk the property with you and provide you a scope of work along with an explanation of what you can/can't get away with in regards to improvements.ask them if you go with them, if they can credit you the amount that you paid.Once you develop a working relationship with a few contractors, you can bounce ideas off them and expect quality responses.I do not invest in New York.Best of luck. 

of course the sale of hurricane damaged houses also confuses the issue (my house had no such damage but is only about 4 blocks from houses that did). 

Purchase price: $395,000 Cash invested: $100,000 Sale price: $570,000 Such a fun project!

Is the 11% equity from the appraisal over the sale price?

How come he isn't paying the full amount?

Purchase price: $185,000 Cash invested: $35,000 Sale price: $671,000This was our 3rd home.

, status of major building components (roof, HVAC, structural, electrical, plumbing), accounts receivable aging (are all tenants paying or is the $20,500 schedule rent?)

OPIf you have a company with a Sales tax license.  

What about having to break even, or even feed the property every month $200 for those same 36 months, but at sale, could net a $75K-$100K profit?