If it's just a little garage try DIY owner/builder for the basics and bring in a good finishing crew at the end with a designer friend.I agree with @Bruce Woodruff plans first...though plans are expensive so I think you are smart to explore here.

Congrats on your very smart decision to start investing in real estate! 

Smart move. 

Now after the 18 months the APR will jump to a high rate but if you're a smart flipper you should be able to pay it back then repeat.Now there are some cards that don't allow balance transfers straight into your checking account.

Lender must be smart, honest, direct, and align with your plan. 

Also, chances are real good they are unemployed (or unattachable), so if they cause damage, they aren't going to pay for it.The last one was there 30 days with a smart*** unemployed bf who thought he had the standing to tell me what to do and sent my plumber away when he only had about 30 min more of work to do, cost me an additional svc call.

have a hypothetical here say i had an investor willing to front the capital necessary to secure a mortgage for a multi family complex but wants there capital back as fast as possible would it work if i put the subject property under contract as a whole sale deal to purchase the property for lets say $1m then secured the mortgage for $1.1m giving my investor back the 100k from the financing is this a smart strategy or one i should stay away from.

have a hypothetical here say i had an investor willing to front the capital necessary to secure a mortgage for a multi family complex but wants there capital back as fast as possible would it work if i put the subject property under contract as a whole sale deal to purchase the property for lets say $1m then secured the mortgage for $1.1m giving my investor back the 100k from the financing is this a smart strategy or one i should stay away from.

Having said all of this, yes there is something to be said for taking the leap of faith at some point and pulling a trigger…but there is a fine line between “going for it” and still being smart and cautious.  

As a prior contractor the fact he won't give you an itemized estimate is smart on his part and shows he's not desperate for your business.