If your margins are that thin you can't outsource some basic maintenance you haven't bought right. 

To this end, I will have multifamily designs that  I will execute in specific markets as a proof of concept, for both the viability of construction, as well as my ability to manage and maintain a multifamily asset. 

Main difference is I'm about 8 years earlier than you on the real estate journey line.If you see me at the Meetup @Kevin Fox mentioned, please do say Hi ... or feel free to reach out if you have any specific questions you think I could help with - I'm by no means the longest running B&H investor here, but can provide plenty of opinions and actuals data based on various types of property in the area south of 52, north of 94, and west of La Mesa.Good luck!  

Would love to hear more about your experience in general; specifically though with your experience buying from overseas (buying long distance) and managing those properties long distance.

What are your specific goals for the property?

Unless contractors contract has a specific time of completion, you will most likely not get anything...remind the contractor of future work possibilities!

If you've done your math, added all of your safety margins, made an offer, and the deal doesn't work out, on to the next!  

From the lessons learned on my first property, it took me forever to purchase the second property because I had a very specific criteria while relying on only 1 source for deals (MLS).

Send me a PM and I can help you with more specifics.

I work out of Vaughan with a specific focus in Vaughan, Kleinburg and few pockets in Toronto.