I'm new to real estate, the mountain of information, paperwork, legal this, illegal that, and just plain uncertainty is overwhelming.

If anything, our industry has too many "managers/landlords" quick to dismiss and throw people in the shuffle.If it's called the wrong motivation, than fine...at least there's COMMON courtesy -to understand someone, rather than cost another WILLING cooperative person THOUSANDS and change his living plans because of your job's fussy paperwork ??

@Joe KoppelA portfolio lender is one that doesn't necessarily follow Fannie or Freddie guidelines; essentially they make their own rules.Exhaust the conventional lending side of things before going with a portfolio.  

Wondering whether or not the "holding costs" of PITI can be included in the loan... essentially using the renovation part of the loan to not only pay for the construction aspect but to also pay the holding costs while the renovation is taking place.

The function of a good real estate agent is to ensure you get the best price for your property and to perform the associated paperwork.

I had never purchased a house without a real estate agent, so I thought that I would seek the help of a real estate attorney for the paperwork and have a real estate agent present just for the home inspection.

I closed on a MF a few months ago with 15% down and managed to add a HELOC for an additional 5% so that it is essentially 10% down.  

I'm recently licensed and I've done $8-9mil in transactions and building houses and I was able to use that to get a few to talk to me at least and the others essentially told me to F off politely.I would see if anyone in your personal network has a broker license--lawyers, CPA's etc or go the online brokerage route and train yourself.

I need a contract that will allow me to include all of the terms of the deal but also has all the essential exit clauses of a typical wholesale deal.

. * Check your state laws and talk to a REI attorney and escrow/title company about facilitating the transaction and all the needed paperwork for your area.