We signed P&S agreements on 6 different properties totaling 20 units approximately 8 months ago and received a call today that the price we thought we were buying at has to-be increased on average 13% due to the increased cost of construction.

High ceiling looks great but increases your utility bill.

@Isaac Terry Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

You actually want to INCREASE it.

Value and rents should eventually increase to turn cashflow positive and build your wealth.You're next learning experience will be, now that you are out of day-to-day management, how will you be able to handle the inevitable expense challenges?

Based on that, do you anticipate increasing or decreasing your investments?

I've heard horror stories that it's usually impossible due to the "burden placed on the municipality" but could really never understand what that burden was... most people living in those units wouldn't be using the school systems so aside from maybe an increased volume in emergency medical situations I can not understand that statement? 

Capitalized costs increase the basis and depreciation deductions over 27.5 years.

Unfortunately, this achievement did not result in the substantial increase in inquiries that I had anticipated.

I have spent the last few years reading many books on real estate, taking real estate courses, researching, saving as much as I could, investing (to increase my purchase power) and finally feel I can begin my real estate journey this year.