Scott The Book on Flipping Houses, The Book on Estimating ReHab Costs http://www.biggerpockets.com/flippingbookYou might consider Niche or Specialized Housing like student housing.

My question is do I start paying them off as fast as I can now and maybe start buying again when I have them paid off if I feel like it......orkeep buying more now and then sell half of them(estimate) in 10 years to pay off the remainder of the mortgages on the 18 units?

I've been eyeing up this house and I need some advice. The comps show similar houses around the area going for about $160k. This house could be right up there with them, but it needs some slightly bigger repairs. Wate...

Is it worth paying a structural engineer to assess to be able to develop a scope and cost estimate, and if the number work out it's do-able?

Zillow tends to be a large protractor in terms of its ability to give reasonable estimates of home values.

Purchase price and estimated costs and cash flow and goals I'm assuming would be handy info, but what kind of layout?

I will show you why its a deal, with real comps, I will show you how I do repair estimates, I'll let you know what marketing I did to find the deal, I will show you what I expect to make from you when you buy for cash, etc.  

Scott The Book on Flipping Houses, The Book on Estimating ReHab Costs http://www.biggerpockets.com/flippingbookDownload BP’s newest book here some good due diligence in Chapter 10.

If you want them I would get quotes from others in the area and compare that to your 7000 dollar estimate form your builder.

Live for free, cash accumulation, keep a close eye on the property, etc.