Focus on areas like Mesa, Tempe, and Central/West Phoenix for the best balance of affordability and rental demand.

Quote from @Jaikevis Reams: In order to put a property under contract I need to provide proof of funds I know that I can get that from a hard money lender but I don’t meet there criteria for a loan approval what should I do? 

However, Allstate is capping their landlord insurance at $750,000, which creates a coverage gap I need to address.I’m looking for options to add at least an additional $750,000 in coverage and am wondering if anyone has experience with Difference in Conditions (DIC) coverage or Excess and Surplus policies.

Even the funding alone is easier since you now have a cash flowing property that can help you fund your seed money faster. 

Is it as simple as getting the site designed and engineered for the footprint, cleared and graded (all of which I am comfortable with), and then hiring a GC to build the building?

Like SWFLA  new builds  at the time I was buying for 25 to 35k at courhouse and Atlanta until the hedge funds came in and kicked us little guys to the curb. !!

Know and obey the law.

Telling sellers everything wrong with their house and justifying your offer with repair costs doesn’t build trust—it kills it.

This will be an equity partnership—while I have cash to contribute, I am not looking to fund the entire deal myself.

The property was in a great market but needed a full cosmetic rehab and basement finish to add a bedroom and increase resale value.