@Sandee SampsonA construction attorney would be who to contact but you are going to spend a lot more than $7000 in getting this resolved against a builder.Also let’s say you win, the courts could also say you didn’t pay for a retaining wall which is needed so it’s a betterment to the property so you would still need to pay for the wall and they would be responsible for some soil etc.

Are you going under contract and then the deal is failing or are you offering and just not winning? 

It's hard to say for sure without knowing your market numbers, but I would bet you if you looked at a 10 year projection, you will probably have a better ROI with the equity in 2 houses as opposed to the equity and cash flow with one. 

and do you know if they came back to the states.. that will be a HUGE win for anyone who is litigating against them .. at least right up until they file BK.

Hey @Jon Pflueger - your best bet will be to retain an architect, they typically have a good understanding of what's feasible and not in a specific zoning/area + will know how to handle variance permissions and etc. 

The reasons they identified will not impress the judge and you will win as long as you followed the proper procedures.There is no way to ensure that they won't damage the property, but you have recourse if they do.

Is there a no win / no fee type of service I should be searching for?   

If you plan on leaving after a year, rates will be much higher to refinance this as an investment home so doing the buy down probably wins out in that situation.

i think your best bet is to try to build a network within the investing world so you're positioned as a hub, someone who knows a lot of people, and see a lot of transactions.  

thanks Your best bet is to partner with a GC or find a GC that a friend of yours trusts.