I can have my cake, and eat it too. 

I personally hate properties that have a lot of maintenance issues, it really eats up any cash flow quickly.

The seller claims that she paid for a survey before and it cost 17k and then she was bitter that the buyer walked and she had to eat the cost which is why she is wanting me to pay for my own as an insurance policy that i won't rack up another cost like that for her and then bounce. 

Usually a hybrid or gross lease.It is key to inspect the parking lot, interior and exterior of building, roof, and all mechanical, electrical, water systems, etc.With newer buildings sometimes you can net higher with gross leases or hybrid but in older buildings where landlord is paying lots of costs it can really eat into your net number.You need to meet with an SIOR broker to see what type of lease structure is common in your area for this type of property before your due diligence period runs out.

However if you plan on growing a portfolio of properties over time and can afford to properly set up and maintain the a corporation yearly without it eating most of your profits, then that is the better route.  

What if the refi doesn't cover the costs of the project, who eats that?

Not only did I not value myself enough for PM, but the CapEx and unit turns began to eat way too much in to my “cash flow”.

Some places in the NorthEast and NorthWest have double-digit aggregate property tax rates, which can really eat into the value of your investment.

That'd eat a pretty good chunk of the cash flow from the first property I'd imagine. 

The condo is in a 15 year fixed mortgage and will be fully paid in 12 years.The question is would it make more sense to eat those monthly payments until the HELOC principle payments become due sell the house and pay it off then or refi when there is enough equity to cover the HELOC amount?