I had discussions with two local prospective builders but nothing was making logical sense to me so I put it on hold.

Investment Info:Single-family residence buy & hold investment.

@Benjamin P.I use this equation to back into my maximum allowable offer (MAO)ARV - Rehab Costs - Holding Costs - Purchase & Sale Costs - Desired Profit as a percentage of ARV = MAO

Empty water and Repeat.

Then repeat this over and over. 

Would it be best to establish additional savings accounts to hold deductions from my anticipated operating expenses (management, maintenance, misc)?

I am looking at buy and holds, so I don't think HM is my solution. 

My wife and I would be holding long term after some fixing up, upgrades and refinance.

There are other products on the market, but I am just speaking to the buy-and-hold ones.  

That is healthy homes initiative. they sell ground leases not new builds. they lose money on the build but amortize it and hold the land until a certain period of time. that's a super soft market way better areas I can show you.