Is it customary for an architect to have a book of contractors that they refer to clients when you engage in the architects services?  

@Brandon Hall There are 9 standards that the IRS traditionaly has  used to determine if a taxpayer is a dealer or investor:1. reason and purpose the property was acquired2. lenght of time property held3. number and frequency of sales, usually annually4. continuity of sales over period of time5. overall reluctance to sell property6. substantiality of gain on sale7. extent to which tp engaged in sales activities8. substantiality of sales when compared to other sources of income9. desire to liquidate The taxpayer does not need to meet all 9 or any number.

Spend some time every day on Bigger Pockets by connecting with “colleagues,” perusing blogs and videos, and engaging with others on the forums: http://www.biggerpockets.com/meet7.

Please shoot me an email with your personal emails, if you'd like, so we can engage a little more privately if need be.

If you completed true flips, then you engaged in dealer transactions that are typically reported on Schedule C if you did these in your own name as a sole proprietor. 

So if you have engaged the only contractor who will jack up the price just because they can, you will lose for sure.

All "quality of life" offenses (drinking in public, public urination, aggressive panhandling, graffiti, vandalism, trespassing, loitering for the purpose of engaging in drug sales etc.)

I strongly advise that you always engage your own trusted and thoroughly vetted vendors to reduce potential liabilities.

@Ira BloomfieldThe IRS prohibits any direct or indirect transactions or benefit between an IRA/Solo 401(k) and a disqualified person.You are a disqualified person to your Solo 401(k).If your Solo 401(k) is being used to salvage a transaction that you have engaged in personally, could the IRS not view that as an indirect benefit? 

People might engage in more relaxed and meaningful interactions by stepping back and relieving the pressure.● Reflection and Learning: With the luxury of time, it becomes possible to reflect on past experiences and identify the factors that contribute to stress.