We have been able to save up some money for our first turnkey multiple unit building.

This risk is amplified the less money you have attached to the deal.

Spending the owner's money, not saying anything, and letting them discover it while reviewing the monthly statement is unprofessional.

Using the 203k or now the HomeStyle loan you can buy a fixer upper and get all the money to renovate. 

But now I'm thinking of renting the whole house and getting a cheap apartment to save even more money.

The expert you are looking for is called a Land Surveyor, they're going to want 5k-15k, if you want to make any money on your project you need to build a house so you also need an architect, they will want 10k-50k, if you're in a hillside zone you will also need a geologist, they're going to want 10k, you will also need a biologist, they're going to want 2k-5k.

They are worth the money for a good hot tub that is mentioned all the time in reviews and doesn't have a ton of issues.

@Malcolm Brown it is great that you are thinking of the money to fund the deals you are going to get started with but understanding what a deal is, I think, should be the starting point. 

You’ll get a better return over the long-term by putting your money in the stock market.

Sometimes occupants still live there and eviction is not easy, and I have even heard a story once that the yakuza are involved in the construction and real estate business and exorted money from buyers through occupants in these properties.