You will find plenty Grossmans bargain outlet is awesome and worth the couple hrs drive if you don’t have one near you.

since my husband was managing it, I don't know where a key is for the home, his death was unexpected and fast so we never discussed it and he wasn't very organized with that kind of stuff. 

I have a 6 months worth safety net cash put away in my savings for unexpected incidents such as job loss, urgent home maintenance, etc. 

Some things to look out for include:- Hidden costs or unexpected expenses (such as permit fees, utility hookups, or unexpected delays) that can add up quickly.- The reputation and experience of potential builders - make sure to check references and look at past projects to ensure that the builder has a good track record. - Any potential legal issues (such as zoning restrictions or easements) that could affect your building plans.Overall, it's important to do your research and plan carefully to ensure a successful build.

Budgeting: Determine your renovation budget and allocate funds to different aspects of the project such as materials, labor, permits, and unexpected expenses.

Moment she reported I replaced the fridge and later found out it was lose neutral issue which electrician fixed and installed grounding. she cancelled twice the appointment before we could get access to fix this.5. its a 1950's build house so it does not have grounding, i needed to get into home to fix the grounding issue for all outlets.

Did you face any unexpected challenges or restrictions from the HOA?

My goal was to as accurately forecast the cash flow on the property as feasible but I do believe that you should try to anticipate the unexpected which is why I also analyzed the property including PM fees.I also realize if you put enough down you will cash flow which is why my post explicitly indicates what I put down (75% LTV which was the first time I have purchased at worse than 80% LTV). 

With 3% interest rates I would say hold and save up to cover mayor unexpected expenses and the reinvest.

Commuting for my contractors was a headache and unexpected expenses.