I was so nervous to post on BP, as I read the forums all the time, and people are so darn smart!

Probably fancy upgrades, like smart thermostat and doorbell.

That is why you need a licensed contractor, or you need to be really smart about dealing with non-licensed contractors.

You are smart enough not to give anyone a down-payment for this type of work, so at least you don't get stolen from but what used to take 1-week to do takes 2-months, with always the promise of "we will be there tomorrow to start". 

I would echo the advice of those above, GET SMART first! 

@Nathan Yung Before you jump 10 steps ahead, I think it would be smart to pick one market (step 1).You can become very successful in every market so don't worry about having to meticulously find the best one. 

Put in a media room, an outdoor shooting range, a jacuzzi, firepit, horse shoe pit, have wifi and smart tv's, gas and charcoal grills, kegorator, boxing ring, free weights; and you'll have something similar to one of my larger houses.

If it was a written arrangement, you could weigh the costs of the claim against the merits of the deal, but seeing as it's verbal, you're in the dark.I would NOT take the sellers word for anything - they're not even smart enough to have a written contract and entered into a verbal one. 

He's uber smart and strategic.  

I’m all for Kwikset Smart Key!