I’ve even heard of a couple of horror stories of lenders leaving buyers at the alter on closing day.  

How do you know what to do, for example, for converting something into a master bedroom, or remove walls in a certain area, or any other type of restructuring or remodeling project where real estate is altered to fit a new purpose or design?

That does not translate the same in the markets you mentioned.  

Excel didn't translate well into forum posting so I pasted it into paint then copied it back out to paste into here. 

The amount I would qualify for translates (in this area) into a property that would unquestionably be too dilapidated for anyone to back.I'm on this forum because I had an eye on a property in my neighborhood that is a duplex that I wanted to purchase and live in.

You may have to alter per new tenant to suite particular needs.Organization, ultimately, will make or break you.

I have a background of  8 years of  U.S military experience and wonder how it can translate into the Real Estate industry. 

How my day trading background will translate into my real estate investing goals - I'm still not 100% sure, but I'm getting there.

When an agent says they are too busy, to me that translates to I really don't want to make money or do what the owner has asked me to do which is sell the home.

I don't know if this could come back on me if I end up not buying the property and they see that this alteration was made.