If the ductwork is done wrong, however, there may be little which can be done short of adding booster fans in the ducts.For now (summer), close down the registers on the first floor and force the cold air up to the higher levels.

The best way to learn are books, networking, and ACTION (knocking on doors, making cold calls etc)

After pressing him for the financials for several months and proof of insurance, I had my doubts.

The water is cold.  

I think the most important things we need to get good at fast is cold calling and having specific marketing plan in place (make a budget).

Some people do prefer vinyl for kitchens because it is more friendly on your feet and less cold then tile. 

In the end, you have to be part investor, part PI, part bloodhound, etc to find some people, but if you make 50k for finding them, more power to you.3)  not everyone is cut out for cold calling, you have to create an elevator pitch, an outline of the questions you need answered.  

I received close to 30 responses, but I'm getting cold feet on if I should use someone from Craigslist or not.

Keep in mind this is small house a rural area that needs work, 3 acre property, cold market.  

Cold calling, door knocking, spending money on marketing, networking events, setting appointments, educating yourself, mastering scripts, being organized, working 60+ hours until you can hire a buyer's agent or assistant, mastering your area of focus, is just some of what you have to be ready for to be successful.