The flexibility of those assets can increase greatly if you leave your job.

Im sure the answers and or guidance you seek will be found here.

Also the Bigger Pockets podcast is a great place to learn a ton about the topics you are seeking info on.See you at the top!

Upside would be liability protection as you seek.

If it is a trade you seek as opposed to a g/c or handy man, reach out to local custom homebuilders, the guys doing a few houses a year,  in general they like to promote the people who do good jobs for them.

Should I increase the bid to their asking price?

No special development taxes...Sold One year now, 16% increase in equity.

I would assume that with an increase in renter occupied units in an area, the competition would be higher and therefore it would make sense to go outside of the area of competition (given other demographic information indicates the area is still appropriate for a buy and hold strategy).

We've seen a huge increase in inspections, and they are very closely looking at roofs.

My rule of thumb for rehab costs is try to gain at least $2 value increase for every $1 spent on labor and materials.