It’s a two-way street: owners should build rapport and trust with buyers, just as buyers should roll their sleeves up and understand what they’re buying.Post-close, owners should thoughtfully consider the best way to introduce the buyer to employees, vendors and customers.

Note his head scarf, neck/face scarf and long sleeve shirts. 

I could have attached the trex railing to the 4x4 treated posts directly and could have reduced the cost by not using post sleeves ($840), post caps (110) and post skirts (60), but I convinced myself that as long as I was going to do this a little bit more to do it right would be okay.

The crimp connector repair consists of attaching a piece of copper wire to the existing aluminum wire branch circuit with a specially designed metal sleeve and powered crimping tool.

If they look like fiberglass, it's a good idea to use a respirator, long sleeves, etc if you tear them out - just like dealing with fiberglass insulation. 

I have a few tricks up my sleeve, though... and am pretty sure that the bank will be buying this at the auction, and not a 3rd party.

That includes trenching for electrical lines, skim coating drywall, landscaping, and - yes - due diligence on new purchases.I don't know if that's a "mentor" or not, but I admire folks who roll up their sleeves and dive in.

It gets easier as you go, and the experience will help propel you.Be aware that rolling up your sleeves to do everything yourself can increase your initial equity position, but you have to have the time, capital, risk tolerance and resources to make that happen. 

Modern gas stoves and fireplace inserts are sealed (airtight) with respect to the living space (room) and vent their combustion air from outside - typically a separate pipe through the side of the building or a centre pipe within the exhaust flue (either through the side of the building or as a sleeve in an existing chimney.The cheapest way to stop air and heat from being drawn up your chimney is to decommission your fireplace; stuff insulation in the top of the firebox against the closed damper; then tape a sheet of 6mil poly (vapour barrier) under the insulation being certain to create a seal with the sides of the firebox all the way around the perimeter of the barrier.Since you still want to use your fireplace periodically, but do not wish to incur the expense of installing an airtight insert, you could still attempt to plug the top of the firebox when you are not using the fireplace.  

Meth leaves a chemical residue behind that will seep into walls, so you'll have to use something pretty strong, and wear respiratory and skin (gloves, sleeves and goggles) protection.