"It was also Countrywide's mistake to retain substantial amounts of credit risk.

I'd use a contractor who specializes in that type of thing, what I wouldn't do is try to become an expert at repair estimates, there's a lot of free sites that will give you estimates; or do like we do and treat your contractor as if he/she was an attorney meaning keep them around using a retainer-like agreement, where you prepay for consultation, it helps. 

Retained for rental portfolio.  

To grow the company with retained earnings for at least 5 years.

Edwardo is correct and kudos to him for reading and retaining the info.

The probate attorney wanted a $500 retainer (which I know is not much), but the family couldn't come up with it.So, we came up with this solution: Give the buyers early occupancy, have them pay rent, which will go directly to the attorney for his retainer.

My Dad only paid the $2500 retainer to the lawyer.

The builder wants to retain maximum sales price but together concessions are $27000.

A deposit of $7,000 or less garantees me that the refund or retaining of deposits is a short a swift one.

I can then calculate an After Repositioning Value (ARV), subtract a retained equity margin, then calculate the cost of a refinance loan to repay my private investors/lenders.