One you have these items it will help get the lingo down for deals, understand the underwriting and so forth.

You’ll get an appreciation for what goes into the work so you understand why certain items are so expensive, and you’ll also be able to better recognize when a quote is more than it should be.

You're only mentioning a few of the items that are allowed on the Limited 203k. 

We had problems at one property with people clogging the trash chute with large items.

The next few questions you placed, will somply be more complex to solve, most important is not only the money being collected, but also making sure you stay in compliance with the municipality, this could mean many or very few administrative items.

I just ask the contractor for a line by line item of the cost breakdown.

She had to replace carpet, a door and some flooring but when she did her initial inspection she failed to pick up a rug on the kitchen floor to check for damages and failed to clear off the deck to check for damages, She just went back and checked the property a little more thoroughly after I had already paid everything on the itemized list in November saying that I have additional damage to replace.

Using the latter will get them talking even if they don’t want to sell, more information is the goal.His labeling strategy is also very useful, it’s a softer way to ask the hard why questions.Labeling is using phrases like “It seems like” “It looks like” “It sounds like” etc..Labeling helps demonstrate active listening and it validates their emotions.Let’s say you put in an offer contingent on a passing inspection for the foundation and other big ticket items and they respond “We aren’t comfortable with an inspection”.

All of my regular bills have the property address on them and for repairs or store receipts, I write the address on the top and file it with the other items for that property. 

@ Christopher LanganHere's what I use, again this is a ballpark until due diligence is performed to take into account all the repairs and or liens etc...Light Fixer (paint,floor coverings, landscaping) $10 sq. feetMedium Fixer (Same as light, PLUS new kitchen & baths) $25 sq. feet                   $20 - 2000 sq. ft. or larger               Heavy Fixer (Same as Medium, PLUS 2 heavy items...HVAC, Roof etc.) $30Super Heavy Fixer (Same as Heavy, PLUS 4 heavy items) $40I hope that helps.