My plan initially was to go to school to be a architect then flip houses once I got my career off the ground, but I only wanted to be an architect to get into real estate.

There was a contractor that used to live next door to my friend that inspired the remodel - new kitchen and added horizontal square footage.Plans from the architect were drafted, turned into the city planner's for review, Comments were made, Architect corrected and then neglected - architect let them sit in his office for 5 months, finally turned back in and then the planning department moved and lost the plans.

I'm mean before the architect gets in there.

Its always good to familiarize yourself with the tricks of the trade (because there are TONS) to not only protect yourself, but your investment.A few ways to get involved are:build a relationship with a developer.find ways to service what they need like:Offer Title Services at a discountOffer brokerage serviceStart a Retaining wall, fencing, irrigation companyif your an engineer offer to take a second look at some plansIf your an architect do the sameIf you are an attorney offer some advice on contractual obligationsIf your an analyst, draw out some cash flowsIf your an accountant, offer to help, create JE's Adjustments, filing, etc.If you have a knack for construction, get out to the sites and look around.If you are good public speaker, get in front of the County officials and pitch a project to the county.Look for the meetings in the county and attend a couple of hearings for development approvals...its public.If you are a banker, look at the deals, contact the developers in your area, go meet them, offer services. etc.Development is about getting out there and putting your ear to the ground.

The architect in me wants to redesign them and make them nicer looking and maybe add an additional bathroom to the 3 bedroom units (currently at 1.5Ba).

If there is a zero lot line rule then you have options but...You will eventually need to get to plans with an architect to see how you could layout the units.

I wasn't the architect of the firm.

PITI cost: 3700/mo. attorney fees, architect fees, title insurance: 7painting, cleaning, 1 new dishwasher, misc fees: 6-10holding costs for 2-4 mo: 7-14Staging, misc decorations: 2total cost: 676-688k.Now, I've toured lots of comparable units in the area.

Anyone looking for a great architect/drafter in Denver should be thrilled to have Emilio moving out there.

I would think a consultant would be more independent, marketing services to the general public in certain areas of consultation.An architect or engineer would be a consultant.There are many areas of professional practice in real estate, accounting, economics, law, engineering, finance, marketing and management, enviornmental and physical sciences, geology, hydrology and more I'm sure.