If you are worried about loosing him and want to keep him then pay him more.

You would then need to identify and screw down loose subfloor boards, possibly replace some if you find any damaged, and then reinstall the flooring.

My father and I have tried to speak to them in family meetings and in private and they all give that kind of loose in-direct Hawaiian answer. 

But a word of advice, start calling HMLs and local banks BEFORE you start looking fr properties becuase if you find a great deal you will have to work fast and if you do not have the financing contacts, you will loose the deal (believe me I know). 

To actually find a deal, I am going to need to be flexible with those numbers, but do not want to go so loose that I risk losing on an investment. 

Most end up being forced out loosing their option fee. 

The other extreme is to list well below comps and hope prices are bid up, but that could backfire and trap you in the lower bound range.

I just heard that hotels are complainig they are loosing business and are trying to change the local laws.

While I'm all for stepwise improvement of those sorts of systems, new infra and the regulation that's bound to it could make this process so much smoother!

If you limit your spending you're bound to save more no matter what you make.