I say you should weigh those options for yourself based on research.

An additional benefit of a detailed engineering-based Cost Segregation Study is that it can increase potential insurance premium savings as well as provide support for the property tax appeals process.

Set a goal, work backwards, and create a realistic strategy based on your personal abilities.An aggressive investment strategy can get you free from your 9-5 in about 3-5 years.

That being said never base your offer on the other guy.

The life estate will spell out the obligations of the step-father (taxes, utilities, insurance, upkeep - or even a base rent that you could use to cover those costs).

@Marcus Auerbach, there are plenty of lenders who use a DSCR 1 ratio and base the rents on actual rents or the rents on the appraiser market rent survey.

I don't know of any banks any more that will do a construction loan on investment properties based on completed value (i.e the finished value with the built in equity).

Im based in the UK - hope that is OK.I am primarily looking for info on deal calculation and also what I need to have inplace / ways / strategies to raise investment capital. 

They are just far to speculative and all over the place with values for me to want to base a contract/option off of it.  

I had previously read something like 48% of people travel with their pets, and I do believe it based on the amount of pet fees we collect.