I'm trying to improve my initial estimates before I waste an electritians time.

It was already 'improved' for water, sewer, etc., which made things significantly more simple.As for customization, we have the ability to work with almost any custom design.

Don't just track them, but learn from them and improve process and systems based on what you are tracking. 

Since the appreciation over there is pretty slow, I feel the best way to make it work is to improve the value of existing properties. 

I had a simplistic view of how cost basis is calculated, assuming it was just original purchase price + value of all improvements. 

Not always the best move.A big thing I wish I had done different was reading self improvement and financial books.

Never stop improving your financial I.Q.

Minus $75k in capex improvements = $175k.

However, the sellers attorney could object on the basis that the base property did appraise, which is the sellers responsibility and the proposed improvements did not bring the needed appraisal amount, which is the buyers responsibility.

I added a bedroom, renovated everything, and rented out my 3 extra rooms.The equity has gone up quite a bit between the improvements and the hot market.My plan is to leverage the equity to buy my next property.