It would be different if he had to take time out to shadow me or some to me, but I would be the one doing most of the traveling to and from his location - idk just not what I expected from the mentoring aspect.

Learned about it, did webinar, loved pricing, even though their investing model looked strategically misaligned, I gave them benefit of doubt.

so hopefully that aspect can be somewhat automated. 

A standard financing deal can blow up for a host of underwriting reasons – FICO slips below the threshold before closing because the buyer just purchased their new furniture, borrower loses their job, interest rates go up and borrower can’t afford the higher payment, the house doesn’t appraise, the borrower’s house doesn’t sell on schedule, some aspect of the borrower’s app can’t be documented, etc.On the other hand, most private lender-funded deals I’ve seen aren’t dependent on anything except the deal closing.

I'm also following for updates on the  marketing aspect.  

I'm looking for a good scope of work template that helps detail the work to be performed so there is little to nothing left out; and one that would detail the costs as well, plus, perhaps, milestones.I'm finding that contractors will quote for an entire job, which is of course better than trying to give me an hourly rate ... but at the same time, how do I know what they're charging for different aspects?

Oh, finding cases could be rather difficult as I watched two contracts bite the dust in bankruptcy over abandonment, it certainly happens.I do see constantly your ambitions of learning legal aspects of various issues and I'd say for someone who lacks formal training in law that you have done well with your self taught approach, especially in Cali.

Accountants, such as a CPA also deal with these aspects and are aware of operational issues that arise from unknown life events.

Ben, I do get a kick out of your writings, but while I don't pick at you, there seems to be a shortcoming in you "teaching" creative financing without a finance and accounting background, I don't think that definition is what creative financing is, but is more to one aspect of what creative financing may accomplish.

I my book, that is a fantastic opportunity for a builder, assuming various unstated aspects are favorable (competitive pricing, appropriate conformity of the development in the community, etc.)