If the appraiser is starting with the purchase price in their pocket and then the appraisal comes out to that exact figure - I see this as a wasted expense.  

You need to do your research so that you are not wasting your time at auctions. 

My goal is to rehab the upcoming unit, get it rented then refinance and leverage for other opportunities.Question: Can I refinance a conventional load over to a commercial load and what are the benefits?

Only use engineers/architects/brokers etc. who have actual experience with single family lot development, you don't want to waste time/energy/money where others learn how to do it on your dime, you want them to tell you how it's done.

Not only is it a waste of most people's time to do so, but it's going to hurt the reputation of the person writing those offers.

I'd put new one in also for same reasons.Keep the tenant as long as you can but give yourself some lead time to freshen up the interior, on a Single family home most are likely looking for personal use and I'd have it empty once you list it.Showing a home with someone in is not optimal the tenant's idea of cooperation is not always easy to define and a messy place doesn't give a good impression, wasted time with occupied in my opinion.

Just looking to find some reputable companies - who, if they require a meet and greet - aren't going to then waste my time with deals made to *look* like deals with inflated ARVs ( I get everyone inflates them - I'm talking really inflates them).If everyone wants to hold specific wholesalers close to the vest, I totally get it.

I think going straight to the loaded uncle for money would come of like I was looking for a handout.  

I have created the polygon map (e.g. longitude/latitude) of each neighborhood and loaded it within Maximus.

The equity machine is running full bore and I'm thinking in 4-5 years Ill be ready to reduce my work load.