Can we do preliminary work prior to the permit (any demo or framing of walls)?

So, if any of you are interested in investing in Austin and have a list of San Antonio contractors, up and coming areas to investigate, etc. please PM me or reply here :)

I have a potential investment property in mind that I'm investigating.  

Now I will always do move in checklists and I wish I did, but he has such a horrible history in court with previous tenants, foreclosure, and other sketchy info a private investigator found 

straw buyers very illegal FBI investigate these type of frauds 

Being the regulatory rule followers and whip smart fraud investigators that they are...the lender has directed Diane to produce these alleged loan documents from her ex to PROVE that she's not on them.

You could still have someone do a title search for you on the ones that pass your preliminary analysis.

Proximity of a few 100 feet vs 50 feet is irrelevant.Regarding title issues of your current transaction - once you have your license you can do your own investigative work with lenders, Realtors, Title, etc either prior to or during a transaction.

My adult daugthers' live in Brooklyn, NY where they rent an apartment and I'm investigating whether it makes sense to buy an apartment building, as an investment, in which they rent a unit rather than pay rent to someone else. 

So that said, how can I get some type of preliminary contract to ensure the seller is fairly serious?