Yes, the typical leave it how you found it works but how about typical vacuuming and disinfecting common surfaces?

I am looking for the best way to find the facts in a timely fashion to make this decision, so if anyone has tried and true strategies or ideas, I am all ears!

If you pay market price than you will have a tough time executing out in a advantageous fashion.

If it is a non trust worthy GC you may never see that money again & in less drastic terms you simply want to pay for work as it is finished like you mentioned. 2) You can control them because the 30k will be returned to you & then you will disbursement Payment to the GC in standard fashion. 3) If the rehab costs less you do not have to pay the overage to the GC & do not loose this money.

I doubt he wants this information to surface.

Have you made purchases in this fashion before?  

One involved using a funnel from one of his toys and one involved doing something in an assembly line fashion to reduce the amount of time it took to switch tasks. 

Did any one surface?

We are growing with lots of networking and good old fashioned hard work.

@Matthew R McnultyYou're completely right that the best way to go is still the old-fashioned driving for dollars and relationships.Market inefficiencies are what the smart real estate investor should look for.