I use earth tones on all my properties rentals and flips.

With your fix and flip and construction experience I'm sure you've familiar with dealing with them and may already have gotten the process started.Next as @Matt M. mentioned, a mechanic shop is going to need cleanup (environmental abatement) that could add to your cost.A consultant is definitely wise.  

Beige and brown tones work as well to give that warmer feeling. 

Say it without yelling or profanity, but with a "I mean business" tone of voice. 

If they record a second mortgage, then when you go to refi, you are going to need to pay off both the first and second mortgage in full to do your refi - OR you will need to get the second lien holder to subrogate their mortgage so that your new lender can jump in front of them.2) Ultimately, though, if the house won't cash flow with the two loans, then you have to decide if it makes sense to still do.

I got in touch with him to make sure he'd be able to complete the appraisal, but his tone was not promising.

At that point you can refinance out of your VA loan (restoring your VA eligibility), buy another/more multifamily properties using VA again and living in it, and THEN decide how to use your trust fund.Keep in mind you're going to need capital for your start up costs as a contractor.

Bad timing in a turbulent stock market can set you back for years before breaking even, and if you happen to need to sell some stocks during a market correction to pay bills, that can be very destabilizing…both financially and psychologically.

Their contracts are 13 weeks and they really only seem to need places for 3 months.

It is typical to need a 1:1 net worth to loan balance and 10% liquidity.