The issues was not that it needed basement work, that we had to move the staircase to a better loaction, that it needed a roof or that it also needed a new driveway - we knew how to handle all these things and had done them before - the problem was that the list was too long.It's a little bit like grocery shopping and you wonder how the heck did I just spend $160 and you look on the receipt and there is nothing really expensive - it's just a really long list.The good news is that the house turned out great, the value has increased since and more than made up for the massive remodel bill and it cashflows very well. 

I'm looking for best practices to employ while shopping for mortgage loans for investment properties (small multi-family and SFR).  

You are an independent operator shopping for a mentor who is going to take a cut of your pie and charge you rent to hang your license.

Also consider driving for dollars, posting signs at coffee shops, etc. 9.

On any given week I'm shaking hands and talking shop with more sellers, buyers, wholesalers, lenders, contractors, realtors, investors etc than I can count.

Same legal concept ("reasonable accommodation" because to do otherwise would be essentially denying some people the right to shop for groceries). 

Welcome @Ashley BenningThere's a REIA close to you that might be of interest called The Real Estate Candy Shop. 

Pick an area you know that everyone wants to be in, could be due to schools or jobs, park or new shopping or employment coming in that area.

Thanks for the quick replies.Sounds like I need to shop for a qualified intermediary as well as a CPA.  

If a contractor is charging 10% markup to assure he has the right materials on site at all times and you are not going to be there 3 times a day it probably makes sense to go that route.The building supply shops usually specialize in certain trades, where you are going to be all over the map with little projects of each.