That seems counter-intuitive. 

Identical layouts. 

It is actually very easy to analyse the property since all condos are the same layout, we know immediately if the price is right.

Lay out your expectations and make sure your quotes for various projects are in writing.Don't go with the lowest bid just because of cost.

The taxes and closing costs incurred on selling investment property wipes away a good chunk of your wealth which is counter intuitive to our goals in real estate!

Louis, with a decade of experience, discourages me from buying any apartments with a shotgun layout.  

He ended up backing out as it seemed like a difficult house to manage based on the current layout.  

I am not a realtor or anything, but I cant imagine that having the master upstairs is making that big of a difference unless there is something else awkward about the layout.

., firing a contractor, making changes a materials / layout design, addressing unforeseen issues that come up (e.g., plumbing), etc.  

As work began on the house, the contractor tells me that DHEC has re-inspected the site and because of the layout of the house on the site, the original permit is no good and now it requires an engineered system (which I'm told will be up to 3x the cost of a standard system).