I should have run a tape while I was there to measure the sq footage, but I think what is screwing them is having the wrong figure.  

One form of creative marketing that I have used in other industries and had success with is flyers taped to trash cans on trash day.

As far as Athas, I have an awesome rep there, but I think there is better private money out there depending on what you're trying to do with way less red tape and similar if not better fees/rates. 

Marching to their drummer will easily lead you over the brink when if left to proceed at your own pace you would have done just fine.Counter offer to produce TAPES of your next 10 projects with open ended timeframe.

So we then  painted the whole joint, repaired the rotted fascias, replaced the ancient AC/heater, new pool pump equipment, new concrete driveway to replace the crumbling asphalt, new landscape, updated bathrooms (resurfaced shower, nice, new cabinets/sinks, but off Craigslist), more new flooring extended throughout the entire house... even some upgraded pool furniture and a nice BBQ outdoor kitchen as we were told we are in a high end area that requires these types of amenities. 

The 4-plex and one duplex have asphalt shingle roofs which look like they're approaching the end of their useful life, so I've included enough capex to be able to replace them within 3 years of purchase.

Does he want a complex with a gym and amenities or is he wanting with a small complex with less red tape?

I use a broker a lot when I am refinancing or a new purchase because they will shop around for the best deal and they will find the  bank that will work with your particular situation  with the least amount of red tape.

Brandon this is about a 7-8 mos. project for us - to flip the entire building over and renovate it and get it back online with new tenant pool of occupants - I renovate as many as I can simultaneously, just set it up like a conveyer belt and move through them in sequence:*Demo team - remove all old fixtures, flooring etc, cut out all tile in whole sheets - then they set the new cement board and get the drywall hung and taped, set the new plumbing rough-in valve*Flooring and Tile team follow - get that installed with the new shoe mold on the perimeter*Painting team follows*Finish team returns for all fixture and finish install - *Painters complete touch-ups if needed *Cleaning team - BOOM!

Do a "take off" of the materials you think you need (think drywall, take SF of the walls, ceilings, etc. and determine how many you need, how much compound, tape, corners, screws, etc...) and do the math.