Your best bet is probably to find an older roofer as they are more likely to have experience with slate.

But, an office or sitting area may be the better bet.

Yeah I bet he is!

I'm pretty handy but have never done one before so getting one as close to the same size will probably be my best bet....

There are good solid sample contracts to use here on the BP FilePlace page (link is under the Resources tab at the top of the web page).

I would love to just buy 2-4unit properties with the money as down payments but i don't want to lock up his cash for the next 30 years which would require a cash out REFI and thats betting that enough renovations have been done to provide the money, i estimate on a 150k property it would take me about 10 years to pay him back his. 20% down payment at 10% interest (this being done using my cash flow ) this situation doesn't seem ideal to me...

My first vc meeting last year with the founder of a multi billion dollar fund said, "I have no idea even how to approach due diligence on this, the best thing may be is to bet on a couple horses and see who wins.". 

I have started searching pre-foreclosures, and on the web for homes.

I've done a lot of reading, researched on the web as many places and as many topics as I can think to look up, really want to get started and see if I sink or swim (really hoping to swim!).

Please contact me for the web site addresses and then after review if you are interested we can discuss your needs. thanks..pete.