So right after they moved in there were some mechanical issues with the unit (Air conditioner and the water heater quit heating) I was there working on the property and the tenant's group drove off to visit someone and shortly thereafter the police showed up.

Working as a salesperson will definitely help you learn the mechanics of the transactions as well as a lot of the scary vocabulary. 

On larger projects we would normally hire as follows:ArchitectStructural EngineerMEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) EngineerSoils Engineer (to review the structural design in the context of the existing soils conditions)Land SurveyorUtility consultant (company that helps process utility connection plans and requests with the local electric, water, sewer, and telco/data utility company (you can do this yourself if needed).Our team on Cedar looks like this:Architect - architecture, structural, MEP, and civil - all handled in house by one firmLand SurveyorHere are the original schematic plans (next week we'll post the design development set):

Are you doing mechanical work? 

In addition, we will also be looking for an excavator, concrete contractor and mason from Island (we will be bringing out our own contractor and mechanical subs for the renovations).  

You may not be putting a big enough emphasis on the headache factor of having a C or worse property.

I also have a full time job as a mechanical engineer so real estate is on the side.

@Ben Leybovich  You are like a fail-safe mechanism for analyzing properties.

Probate is a very sucessful form of marketing for us, and we emphasis the trust and confidence that comes from working with a professional in this business.

Even if the lender doesn't ask for sign-off's from contractors against mechanic liens, in my opinion, you should get them anyway.