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). 

There's plenty of companies who design and install for contractors for reasonable prices.

Best of luck, and enjoy your journey into real estate investing!

I studied RE development and investment for my MBA, I am the building inspector for the town where I live and I worked as a contractor before switching to only working on my own deals.

There was no emergency shut off switch before but i asked the hvac contractor to install one and he did ( located inside the apt).

Best of luck to all you out there. enjoy your holiday

According to Tom Cruz hereafter referred to as DB, I wasted 31 years of my life training to become an ortho surgeon but the DB doesn't understand some people enjoy their jobs and are passionate about helping other people. 

I'm not at the current IC Retreat, but I hear the group is enjoying themselves and great information being shared. 

How do you know that a contractor is any good?

Determine the cost of construction (hiring a contractor in the GNO area is going to start around $165-175/sqft to build) and be sure to include all holding costs, as well as interest in the loan.