However there is a funding fee involved for a VA loan.

Kitchen renovations were not in our original plan, but these adjustments made our kitchen far more functional, and we feel the extra time involved was well worth it.

did code call them or do you think one of the disgruntled neighbors got them involved?

Those new windows might be top of the line but i bet they'll break just as easily as the old ones.9) comps. i believe the general idea is if you can't find solid comps in the immediate area, you go with average price per sqft in the neighborhood.

@Chai JonnI agree, the Solo 401k is the best bet for maximizing contributions as long as you are eligible for the plan.

I look forward to participating in discussions and becoming more involved in the community side of things rather than just reading and listening to the podcasts.

@Michael VerniceThere's no single right or wrong answer to this other than IMO building a spec home is more involved than doing a flip. 

I am not worried about making money more interested in learning by getting Involved and obviously helping my mother. :)

Joe I see this as highly regional.. when we were flipping in Dallas almost all appraisals came in low and we had to negotiate.. it was frustrating and since the homes were FHA buyers they no had any more money to make up the delta.. and with the uber high tax's there you just have to let them go and make less or break even on the flip.. we just were not efficient enough to compete there.In Oregon and Charleston were we do true NEW construction for retail in the 450 to 2 million price points.. we have not had one appraisal come in low.. they come in at our sales number.. and this last community we built.. the exact same house we built the year before on the same size lots we sold for 75k more.. and they still appraised.. that's good appraisers keeping up with rising markets.. in Texas it was not that way the appraiser were not tracking the rising market like they should have.For the average homeowner to use this strategy could lead to some frustration of making offers paying for inspections and appraisals and then trying to negotiate down only to have a sale fail and be out 1k or more and the time involved..

I'm mostly involved with buying distressed/value add properties.Be happy to jump on a call or have coffee with any wholesalers who are looking for an active buyer to put on their buyers list.