I worked as a firefighter so I got the building construction from that background and then the transaction and numbers I got with working within/alongside investors that were in the business doing the stuff I wanted to do.

Structuring the agreement properly, outlining how profits will be split, who covers the rehab costs, and what the timeline looks like can ensure the seller feels confident in the process.

you might also have-local registration fee or business license or similar-shared utilities that the owner is responsible for

However, my portfolio is mostly B2B and the businesses I work with are comfortable paying the nonrefundable fee plus the refundable security deposit. 

Quote from @Caleb Brown: I would focus on being an agent first and building that business.

My thoughts were that this would be a short-term solution.However, the more I think about it, I’m starting to lean toward a cash-out refinance over 25 years, with a minimum payment structure.

The local who lives there but commutes 30-60 min to another community because they can’t find a job to support their family in their town.That same local knows that a 4plex would be great on that lot that’s been vacant for 20 years and that there are at least 4 families who could benefit greatly from that development.That local knows that Ryan’s plumbing and Katie’s electrical companies that service 75% of the town really needs a new flex space to use as a shop, storage, and parking for their business so that they aren’t working out of their garage and can hire a couple of locals to work with them at the office and in the field.Development is different in our small towns but if locals aren’t the ones doing it, and developers aren’t coming, what happens to our kids futures?

Either you learn to be good at it, or partner(your business partner, not someone who works on commission/salary/fees) with someone who is good at it. 

It is the cost of doing business.

I was recently let go so I decided to start my own business.