Now, I UPGRADE my duplexes not with swimming pools mind you, but with microwaves over the stove, granite countertops, replace small and out-dated baseboards, replace carpet with luxury vinyl floors, upgrade to LED light fixtures, up-date faucets, new-used appliances, six panel interior doors and contrast paint (white ceiling, Light beige or grey walls and all trim white).  

-stone, masonry, framing, drywall, nails, sheathing, cladding, roofing-wall & floor tile-windows-doors-fixtures-finishes (counters, cabinets, trim, paint, etc.)So far, it feels like we're paying retail for everything, apart from the 5% discount at Lowes etc.

I can’t really trim my investor count down to the lender desired < 4, and I’m not sure getting the investors to form a separate LLC just to pool the capital is going to fly either. 

Meanwhile, I already have a set of contractors (framers, plumber, electrician, HVAC, drywall, etc) so I'm ready to be my own GC and also DIY some of the finishes (trim, tiling, painting, etc).Does anyone know if there is a way around this?

-------In 2013, my wife and I purchased a 1974 2-story "fixer" in Clovis, NM via a no-money down VA loan, which we poured our blood, sweat, and tears into for 3 years: refinishing the exterior, installing hardwood floors, upgrading countertops, repainting all the walls and trim, retiling showers, blowing out walls, replacing light fixtures, etc..

., escort an appraiser or schedule outside trim painting) they want $40 per hour.

Their reasoning could be something as simple as trimming the fat.Let’s talk about the shortfalls of other alternative funding sources to invest in real estate.

I have had to replace a railing mount, re-glue some trim, etc.

Or should I just be looking to repair the current driveway just to the 2 car area, and leave the tree (was told I could trim roots so it stops growing and lifting the concrete on that side)?

I had the company paint the lift sides and trim a few years ago.