The natives stole a lot of equipment and kept vandalizing with every step of improvement I seem to make. 

Im not equipped personality wise to deal with things like non paying tenants.

My homes will be smart, have robust home networks, and be equipped with fast and reliable indoor / outdoor WiFi.So, right now I'm in the process of studying for the GC exam. 

Small fix up, paint cosmetics, build a front office space, up grade some exterior features, signage and shop equipment.

Deborah is probably much better equipped to answer your question concerning this.

the only way to pull it off is go for itthere are a lot of variables to this type of transactionremember the right of way in highway or bridge construction could change at any momentthey may come through there and condemn 30% of the properties for they need the land for on off ramps, utilities or just becausethey widened the highway up here and took out 26 dwellings because they needed the space to stage equipment, the homeowners were offered tax appraised value on there properties and some lost there homes to foreclosure by default they did not take the state dealenjoy

Does anyone have any good suggestions for software to estimate rehab costs, track the project tasks and purchasing for subs and materials and equipment? 

The retail space is being sold to the manager that has been working with the current owner/landlord but its name will belong to the new owner of the building, meaning if he fails the business I could resell it (he will have no bill of sale as he is leasing the equipment from the current owner and I would be holding the name of the business myself as the new owner).I'm slightly apprehensive about interest rates going up too much after the first fixed 5 years, as this would eat away a lot of my cash flow, or my taxes going up tremendously with the renovations and adding a third bedroom in two units.Any thoughts?

I then paid him for his time and I was now better equipped to look at properties and determine if they were worth even bringing him out.

Hi Wayne,Sounds like you are well equipped with your background.