However, often times investors can get better rates and close much quicker with less strings attached when using private money from friends/family. 

Just goes to prove when you partner with the right GC you can make things happen much quicker.

@Andrew Postell We pondered the idea of the 203k however with it being a such a competitive deal, in our scorching hot sellers market (1.5 months of inventory) they probably would have went with one of the other offers with a quicker close date as the sellers had another home UAG.

This is something that I can do myself and you just get better and quicker as you go.

Homes in my area rent much quicker but will cost more for anything over a war zone property.

Much quicker than a multi-tool if all you care about is wether or not their is juice in the lines.

I figure just check public records but is there a quicker way so I can just scan properties?

I was just thinking mainly that I may be able to do my next rental deal quicker if I get a construction loan for a property that I already own.

Sometimes they can re-assign it to another contractor for quicker service OR they can allow for your contractor to complete the repair, and they would reimburse you for the portion of the expense that they would normally cover. 

That is something I look forward to do, I figured if I could wholesale while listing homes, it would get me there a bit quicker.