A $200,000 duplex might have identical rents in municipality “A” and municipality “B” but the property tax rates will vary, local regulations will dictate licensing requirements, labor rates will vary & the particular location will dictate insurance premiums since insurance carriers will weigh local replacement costs and whether the municipality is viewed as being a “plaintiff friendly” in arriving at insurance premiums.Better situated assets will attract better tenants.

Quote from @Jim Miller: I hold a Florida real estate license.

Disclaimer: While I’m a licensed attorney, I’m not your attorney.

There is no way these are licensed and insured contractors. 

I recommend saving money to enroll in real estate licensing classes and to take the licensing exams.

I would just point out that you must make clear you are selling the interest to purchase, cannot advertise the underlying real estate (as that would require a license).

If a licensed Architect is necessary, that could be the disconnect if your first "Architect" was not licensed.

Our team includes a dedicated realtor, and we will soon have a licensed contractor on board.

Hopefully, you've approved a bid they submitted, so the cost is fixed - unless they can document the need for acceptable change orders.If they are charging hourly, then, yes, they may be able to charge you more the longer it takes.Keep in mind, your PMC is unlikely to have an exterminator and other licensed contractors on staff.

NMLS Consumer Access is a fully searchable website that allows the public to view information concerning state-licensed companies, branches, and individuals licensed and registered through NMLS.