Kansas city is a great market to invest in - are you thinking smaller (1-4 units) or larger (5+ units) multifamily properties?

You need larger down payment: 15 to 25 percent down, depending on your profile and property type.

You'd have to be a builder to really reap any sort of profits from an area as such. 

Do I need any sort of license or anything to manage my own properties?

What are some pros that I can highlight from the seller’s perspective.Here are a few that I’ve come up with:1) monthly income at a higher interest rate;2) avoiding a larger tax bill by reducing the purchase price (on paper);3) a promissory note that they could potentially sell down the road.Any other major ones I am missing?

There are lots of larger investor meetups around Charlotte I'd be happy to share!

In an ideal world the investor, a partner, an interior designer, or for larger investors maybe a project manager would be able to collaborate with the contractor(s) on these things.

Obviously, the rules will differ from state to state.The most successful buyers have trusted bidders with cashier’s checks in multiple denominations (for cash sales) and the actual buyers have field runners and people to monitor multiple prospective properties at a given time and check sales status for postponements due to BK, etc.This is the case in larger metro markets where many properties could go to sale but few do so.There are often better ways to acquire properties then auctions.

Can I "cosign" for the loan to convince the bank to loan money to the builder (and if so require some sort of oversight from me for money to be dispersed to him?)? 

I wouldnt develop anything but sitting on it could be worth waiting to one day add new units/condos or a larger multifamily partnering with a developer. - half of parcel can also be sold off as only one half has the SFH and ADU on itOwner is quite firm on the price.