Leverage a realtor ahead of time with the scope of work from the contractor to confirm what they would list it at and where they expect it to close.I would 100% restructure that payment cycle with the contractor.

Many folks that were losing homes literally stalled till the day before the sale then would go ahead and take some money and sign the deed we probably bought over 100 pre foreclosures this way.. 

I 100% agree, the photos put you way ahead of the competition.

With so many responses, I'm purposefully not talking to people ahead of the open houses - just sending my criteria and leaving it to them to opt out on their own, if they know they obviously won't qualify. 

Had a messy sale last year due to this, so just a heads up.Cheers

So I told them to go ahead with it.  

He eventually sold the properties and came out ahead still.

He eventually sold the properties and came out ahead still.

In the end, I new even if I had to replace the HVAC and roof that I would be coming our way ahead.

By you investing your time educating yourself on Bigger pockets and RE podcasts, reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad, and to never have any debt, I think you are very smart with all of that and way ahead of many people.