After sitting through the seminars/sales pitches over the years, getting frustrated and getting nothing accomplished I feel like I have found a home.  

I have a bit of information on what I might be eligible for, but it would be great to hear from someone who will know nearly all the answers.Zachary,  Cedar Park is nice, but I work north of the city and we are hoping to minimize the commute.

Especially one pitching their own products.

If not, then run the general idea above at dad and see if he want's to pitch it to the bank.  

They did pitch the membership and events for the first 2 hours.

1/7/2016  Wesley - thanks for the post and  creating some good thinking ..... if you are desiring to  purchase a  primary home ....its  likely to not  get any less expensive in the  future ....so if you are waiting for  prices to come down - this might be a long wait .....if  you buy a condo  and  want to use a FHA loan  to minimize the  down payment - be aware that  the condo complex will need to be FHA approved  ( not many are any longer ) ...that being said there are  some conventional loan programs  that allow as little as 3% down . 

Major kudos for getting out when you did and minimizing the damage.

What Chris Reed says is true - there are a lot of folks pitching stuff out there and charging fees; but you will find some worthwhile groups that don't charge a thing and that truly add value. 

Contractor will look at completely different things with me, like options for minimizing rehab costs, ideas/costs for changes to house, timelines, etc.  

I had so many companies bid outrageous prices and after getting advice from the true experts with no conflict of interest, turns out those companies who send out an estimator really don't know what they are doing and can possibly do more damage.I feel 100% confident that we can build out the apartment downstairs without issue now or in future.This is what we had done:Interior perimeter 4" drain perforated with socktrench dug at a pitch to ensure proper drainage to sump - THIS IS KEY!