I feel it's a trade off worth making if you can locate more attractive deals.  

Additionally, the color approval (and everything else, it seems) is scrutinized and decided by an "environmental control committee" and not the design committee.  

I am in the process of creating a website targeted to pre-foreclosures and short sales, and I would appreciate any input and shares on websites that attract good leads for this specific niche.I do have an idea of how I would like my website to look and feel, and plan to give a lot of free info, but not all of course, about avoiding foreclosure, to capture leads.Please share any good sites and input, I very much appreciate your help!

I use this for higher end rentals where I'm looking for the caliber of tenant that a name brand firm attracts

I think the Georgian Real Estate Market is very attractive, with a lot of opportunities due to the growing economy.

There are plenty of ways to make your offer more attractive to a seller. 

I have a wealth of experience in designing, building, rehab and estimating but know very little about the real estate business itself.

We also currently we own 5 other rental properties in Atlanta, which are being managed by my father, so having another rental property is attractive.

I suggest you make contact with a CIPS or Certified International Property Specialist, it's a international designation for people that have the knowledge you are looking to find.

Even with the Mrs. handling the designs, it still had to be a $1million or more in that 2yr timeframe it took to finish.