The GC will need to be skilled in rough and finish carpentry.Thanks,Wayne 

I'm supposed to intro myself.Okay, here is the quick rundown.I bought a house in 2001 in a rough "transitional" neighborhood to live in as a single woman.

Focus on people and undervalued sources of information, these are where you are likely to find the diamonds in the rough.

So the "rough" areas of this little city are nothing like some of the neighborhoods in the big cities where you would be afraid to walk around at night.

@Tiger M.Sounds like a rough time for you, but I feel like I could add something here:The leases you have tenants sign (regardless of property class) need to have 24 hr notice entry.  

@Tammy Wise  I have not worked there in 20 years but it was a ROUGH town then and I don't think anything has changed..

But, I assume your principal and interest payments are roughly $650-700. 

@Brent Seehusen  its common in many other states that eh tax's on owner occ will be about half of what they are for investment properties.So I think what @Spencer Sutton is alluding do is when you get your prelim title report or check on tax's if the turn key home your buying  was last owned by an owner occ.. then the taxs are going to be about 50% less than your tax's will be going forward.. that's rough it varies but I am close.Account Closed  Even Spencer can't control rough tenants .. he may say he can but he can't.. and rough tenants are a PM dream they get to ding the heck out of you  LOL...

I'm not sure how many of those you have locally.Definitely confirm your rough opening as best you can, and buy a unit, with frame, bronze or aluminum sill, weather stripping, and doors.

I do plan on putting in a hefty down payment; however, a couple of family members we considering to contribute roughly the same amount.