I'm told by my agent that the current (or previous) seller that did the modification to the garage did not do all of the proper permitting before doing the construction.

In CA it will make increasing sense as it is mandatory for all new construction under three stories to be equipped with solar systems starting Jan 2020.

My wife & I have $300k cash and are buying a $500k new construction primary home for ourselves set to be completed in November. 

You will have to spend time getting to know people so that you know if you trust them and trust their numbers.I don’t know anything about construction but I’m willing to learn, is this strategy for me?

New construction for me have been 4%.

Are they thinking with the influx of new construction that it will affect the rental industry?  

As more assets are fractionalized, investors will come closer to being able to construct a truly diversified real estate portfolio.2.

The market just went dry & we're competing against new construction in that neighborhood.Everyone asks us, "Why don't you just move back?"

Are they thinking with the influx of new construction that it will affect the rental industry?

I also not see someone buying a newly constructed duplex (even 10 years old) and contemplating a partial gut renovation (at least removal of one kitchen and possibly repurposing a second living area).