Basically, at what stage can you hand over the deal?

You should never utter the most commonly used phrase found here, "I just completed my first deal...now what do I do?".

Nothing.The experience has been an utter and complete nightmare on every level.He never finished the owners unit.

Hi Eddie,You want to do all the shopping right in the beginning during the pre-approval stage. 

Check out the Meet up in Mesa on January 23rd, https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521/topics/65...It has a good turn out of people in different stages of the investing.

I suppose getting wrapped up in large profit margins should not necessarily be a main focus at this stage of the game.

You do have to be of the mindset that you are likely going to be buying at retail, and we are in the late stage of an upward trend. 

As apartments go, we're in a stage where good value add opportunities are most difficult to make happen than they were 4-6 years ago.Buy for cash flowUse long term debtOnly buy in markets with growing employment & population and a diverse economyMake sure you can handle increased vacancy & a possible drop in rents @Russell Brazil makes a great point about people overestimating their future willingness to buy in the midst of a recession.

Right now I am in the educational stage of investing in Real Estate.

At this stage of the cycle we are seeking quality assets in the B- to A- range where we can further add some value but most importantly; greatly manage downside risk.