A little about my 22 year old self: I graduate May 2017 from North Carolina State University in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Entrepreneurial Studies.

I am a mechanical engineer by trade but currently hold a project manager position for small to medium capital projects.

A mechanics lien would not be enforceable......you are a lender/partner, not a contractor.

The same as having a mechanic check out a used car Before you buy it.

If you want them to do anything mechanical interview them well you will be amazed how little they can know about house maintenance.

I am currently attending college for Mechanical Engineering and feel as though real estate is a good fit for my schedule.

In the past I have worked various jobs from warehouse jobs, to teacher’s assistant in a high school, to even a mechanic apprentice.

Hi @Lewis C.Larger multifamily buildings are a far cry away from SFR, and as you might expect, the due diligence is much more involved.For starters, all mechanicals in the building need to be evaluated intensely.

If they can find a way to align incentive, like a bonus for finishing in a certain time frame, they could create a mechanism to get what they need from this architect. 

Trenching around the property is the preferred mechanism, but in an attached multifamily situation, you would need to trench below the units along the adjoining walls.