My schedule is pretty tight.

@Ani Simmons Create a well outlined Scope of Work (SOW) and have the contractor aware of any penalties for not meeting deadlines (fees for significant schedule slip, etc).

If it comes up while you're about to close on the refi you're not under any deadline and can back out very easily if things don't line up.

Create a scope of work, set deadlines, calculate holding costs, expected rent rate/sell value, etc. 

Even though auction timelines can be tight we can make them work with a 1031 because there's an additional 45 days after closing (Darrell's an over achiever :) to identify potential replacements.  

When budgets are squeezed too tight, it forces you to put alot of extreme pressure on the contractor. 

Seems like inventory is pretty tight, but I'm hopeful.

If I can only get $900 then my numbers are pretty tight.

HUD-1s aren't used any more.Get tight with your lender and escrow officer - you don't have to pay the contractor 100% upfront for this to be on the final settlement statement. 

Right now our lender is coming up tight on the deadline getting everything finished with the loan under my fiancé's name.