My experience with my broker is that, I let him know when I'm fishing or getting a feel for the market, or serious and ready, and it has work out very well for me. 

@Sanjay Aiyar, well that sounds like it would work out perfectly. 

Again, I tried to save some cabinets, save the flooring, make it all come together and it didn’t work out as planned.

It is also important that the design takes into consideration building costs, you can achieve the desired layout with less or more expensive materials, good plans will reduce building costs.Hiring subs is always the big question and without contacts in hand, you will need to get referrals which do not always work out.

This is something that your lawyer needs to counsel you on, and should work out to your favor to some degree, whether it be a concession or return of down payment if you feel it’s a deal killer. 

If you did your due diligence, then it should work out well.

@Steven Gillmer Really wish I was able to make that, I have a very busy work schedule where I work out of town for 2 weeks and I'm back home for 5 days. 

I read real estate books, BP forums and listened to countless podcasts whenever I drive, eat, or workout.

Use this practice to work out your “script” and test different things to see what gives you the most positive responses and write down the things that work the best and use those in the future.

Usually aging landlords of multi-family properties (2 to 4 units) are pretty responsive, and a lot of times I have found out that they are willing to finance for short term or work out other creative financing.I suggest that you pace yourself when buying multi-family. 3-4 properties the first year, until you get the right team in place and also build up your cash resources.Initially I purchased 16 multi-families in 18 months (back in 1991-92,) but it was stressful and not having the right workers and management in place, we had to do a lot ourselves, and my husband being in the Army ... it wasn't easy.Recommendations and word of mouth are your best resources for contractors, etc.