But what some investors and aspiring homeowners may not know, is that we have big firms with insane buying power entering the market driving up prices and of course limiting the supply for the everyday investor or aspiring homeowner.

Read the zoning code, and if it's not crystal clear call the powers that be.

The inspector will inspect everything and will tell you what to expect.There are several deal-finder tools here on BP you can use to calculate

Wished everything was all under one roof, but they have tools to help bring it sort of under one roof.

Any books I can purchase, Bigger Pockets educational tools?

Both very useful and powerful tools.

I’m curious if any of you would share some manner of “risky” financing that you engaged in, from top-of-buying power down payment + conventional financing to short-term or private lending that you really weren’t sure how you were going to pay off, but you played right, worked out, and you and your lenders were happy with the results?

I think BP also has a tool to find a contractor as well. 

A higher due diligence fee can make your offer more attractive, but obviously this is risky and also takes away some of your power during inspection for negotiation (the seller knows you have more to lose and may be less willing to negotiate).   

Because, you could talk to just about any lender you want, but if you don't have a way to qualify (be it income, asset, gross income, etc.) you are still going to be sol.Yup, so either educate yourself on how buying power is determined and/or start contacting some lenders and see what they can and cannot do for you, and why.