While I've never invested personally in Detroit, my usual word of caution to investors in these "lower cost" markets is that while cashflow is great on a % basis, make sure to look at the actual quantity of cashflow. 

I would be fine with a $10k non-refundable retainer and $500/hr. personally.

I also have a personal relationship with my contractor so got a massive price break. 

Alternatively if they all love the deal, that's also likely a good sign.You can get a dog of a property in a crap neighborhood that will yield a 13.6% gross cap (not saying yours is), but that certainly doesn't tell the whole financial picture of how the asset will perform.

You go out and buy an apartment house and then hire a property manager so you don't have to personally spend time on the property.

I personally believe his contract job contract got cancelled as i know others from his company left that same week. 

Personal criteria, building criteria and area criteria will all affect the way a deal appears on paper. two 100 unit apartment complexes, one in an A area and one in a C+ area will have very different financial breakdowns and interest groups.Want to know if a deal is good (for you)?

I’m from Miami would love to start an Airbnb in Orlando I can not say from personal experience.

I can provide support of checking in on contractors, staging rental properties, walk potential leads to give you an idea of the property in person or what the area is like, meeting with agents, and drafting scope of work for projects. 

You want to make sure that the developer can perform and that the type of development proposed is needed in the market and that the neighbors don't oppose the project.