If we are performing a major renovation, the Owner is required to sign the vendor's contract, and provide full payment to us prior to the start of work.

Just keep in mind, that should be money invested in a passive investment, for example a performing note or a JV/Fund investment.

Meaning a 12% return may be under-performing for your market. 

Perform the calculations as to what the monthly payments is, and see if the spread is large enough to turn a profit.

Since it's currently my wife and I.One note, if my subs are hired by an owner and not me, I cannot bind them to my contract or make sure they perform, which I think is part of the USP of a general contractor.Side note: I also plan on having signs posted on all project sites that state that no materialmen's lein can be taken on the project, as well as contractual language to support this.

Arkansas Code § 17-42-104(a)(1), concerning exemptions, is 20 amended to read as follows: 21(a) This chapter does not apply to: 22(1) A person not licensed under this chapter who performs any of 23 the acts described in § 17-42-103(10) with regard to the property owned, 24 leased, or purchased by him or her; as: 25(A) An owner of an individual freehold or leasehold 26 interest in real estate; 27(B) In the case of a corporation, limited liability 28 company, limited partnership or other entity recognized by law holding a 29 freehold or leasehold interest in the real estate under subdivision (a)(1)(A) 30 of this section, a member, manager, partner or officer, who has authority to 31 and does make management decisions affecting the overall policy of the entity 32 regarding real estate activities involving only the interest of the owner; 33(C) An individual attempting to acquire for his or her 34 personal use a freehold or leasehold interest in real estate; or 35(D) In the case of a corporation, limited liability 36HB11632 01-12-2017 09:53:17 SRC062company, limited partnership or other entity recognized by law, intending to 1 acquire a freehold or leasehold interest in real estate under subdivision 2 (a)(1)(C) of this section, a member, manager, partner or officer, who has 3 authority to and does make management decisions affecting the overall policy 4 of the entity; 56SECTION 2.

If he put into the agreement that he will only get paid 2.5% (I have heard this happening before) on the close, meaning you the buyer would come out of pocket for their services at close, then you are in that contract to perform.

See which performs better and then you know what message resonates better with your audience.  

@Vickiel WoodardFirst, congratulations on taking some VERY positive steps under difficult personal situation.I would guess from your post that you have some expenses to incur for repair, rehab and carrying costs, before you begin receiving income.If your intent is to hold as rentals for good cash flow, a fix n flip type lender (where most SFR investor lending is available), will probably not be interested unless they believe you plan to sell after rehab.As you stated, you won't qualify for a conventional or institutional loan, not only because of credit but also because of loan size.The suggestions made by posters so far are some version of(1) sell as is one, two, or all(2) sell one and use proceeds to fix up other twoNot bad advice, depending on your goals.These lower end houses will sell for a VERY low price in relation to their rental income because (1) tenant types will most likely be a problem or at least be high maintenance, i.e. chasing them for rent, high turnover, life crisis, employment problems, etc, and (2) unless area undergoes gentrification price increases will be non existent (3) effective outside property management is probably not available.So, if you are able and willing to manage the property and tenants yourself, keeping the properties as cash flow rentals can be a VERY lucrative activity.I would find an experienced contractor, and talk him into either (1) partnering with you by providing his services as a contribution for buying an equity interest in the houses or (2) accepting a lien on the properties in lieu of immediate cash payment to perform the necessary rehab and either making monthly payments to him to pay off the lien once the units are rented or paying him off by refinancing once the properties are rehabbed and income is established, though as mentioned a loan would be somewhat difficult to accomplish.An alternative is to attend your local REIA meeting, and discuss a partnership with some of the more passive investors.BTW, are you paying typical credit card interest rates of 12-24%, or did you get an introductory deal giving you a low or no interest loan for 6 -12 months?  

Nor does needlessly bidding up your competition without the intent or ability to perform on a real estate contract.