I'd call a few roofers in the area off of Craigslist and ask them, in general, what they'd charge per square for a basic, asphalt shingle roof.

I've always used Homestyler.com, which is a web-based design software that can be used to create basic floor plans for your contractors.

We don't go out for drinks, but I do ask about their lives, share a little (the basics) about mine. 

I started running him through the basic pre-screening questions and red flags flew up left and right but I am not completely writing him off.

As I see it, you basically have 3 options:1 - Move forward and get the clock ticking on equity pay down using OPM.2 - Hold off, and see if the market in your area becomes more favorable to buyers (how long will that take, and how much equity would you have in the subject property if you chose option 1?)

So basically we need to do over each unit.

Even if the property appreciates at the exact same rate as inflation (so basically zero growth), every time you make a mortgage payment you're building up equity. 

A few Google searches of "mortgage basics" or "mortgage 101" or something along those lines will point you in the right direction. 

Thats basically what I did.

I am basically focusing on Intel renters.