I've seen bad electrical circuits burn alot of things up.

I would only ever advise on hiring on an hourly rate under the following strict conditions:You know the contractor to be hardworking and honestYou know the trade inside and out and know the amount of time it'll takeYou'll be around to monitor the work.The idea of milestones sounds good in theory, but the reality is there's still ways for you get burned because its so hard to account for everything in advance and measure everything.  

I found out about the podcast a couple weeks ago and am burning through them.

When you find an agent willing to work with you, you don't want to burn them out looking at a bunch of properties. 

There are burn marks in the hardwood flooring and the wood steps.

I have a burning desire to be successful in this business. 

Keep the fire burning. 

I totally agree that I will burn contractors out if I don't give them work but ask for quotes and I really try not to do.

We have been down this road with a friend and was burned.

He keeps saying he has a lawyer working on it and that if he ever has to leave he will burn it first (i don't care since i can get insurance on it)...I already know that this will be a big headache and will require $ to get him out legally which is ok with me.However squatters in Philadelphia have rights and he may be allowed to live there for 6months to a year for free but im mostly scared of him coming after me personally as i'm renovating another house 2 blocks away from me.Should I keep pursuing this deal (if i don't, someone else will) or not worth the headache?