Prices will reflect that, but buying dirt cheap means selling dirt cheap in a small town that isn't "related" to a larger market.Study real estate basics, location, market influences, inventory turn over, economic factors that effect value.

The biggest factor in the financing is the cash flow.

Lenders are going to take all factors into account including income, marital status, credit, etc. and through the rate they give you they are telling you what kind of risk you are to them.

There is a contractor out of North Plainfield named Gary Lewis (Under Your Roof) that had wonderful integrity and really knew his stuff.  

Is broker support always a huge factor?

Again calling for a fight and questioning my integrity instead of just giving a great story about a fantastic realtor.

That said, I probably buy an overpriced cup of coffee a few times a week for the convenience factor :)I can understand that part of what makes TK properties what they are is the convenience factor.

However, if you add-in the cost of laying a subfloor... there goes the very attractive "cost" benefit factor,  To end my long worded response:  Smoothing the slab is more labor intensive but less costly than laying an entire subfloor, but definitely the way to go.  

The HOA fees in some places are astronomical as well, make sure you factor that in.

So if he has a good reputation that can be the deciding factor.