As opposed to financial engineering / stock buybacks.

Appliances now-a-days are designed by engineers with a lifetime parameter. 

I’ve met with a few real estate agents and I’m pleased so far ( also Fellow BP members) but I’m curious to know if anyone here knows a rockstar here in Sacramento who would have the time, experience and patience to work with a 31 year old electrical contractor turned first time real estate investor looking to invest long term locally and long distance.Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated and I look forward to offering you value too as an electrical contractor, weather it be a discussion on project costs over lunch/coffee/golf or just electrical advice over the phone anytime, I’m happy to help.Here is the roster I’m currently filling here in the Sacramento, California area:Real Estate Agent | BrokerMortgage Broker | LenderProperty ManagerAttorneyAccountantInsurance AgentContractors Plumbing & HVAC: Electrical: Modern Edison Inc.Painter: Cabinets:Roofer:Sheetrock: Simply The Best Drywall Framer:HandyMan:Flooring:Landscaper:Mason:Siding:Windows & Doors:Garage doors:AppraiserArchitectProperty Tax ConsultantIncome Tax ConsultantEstate PlannerEnvironmental EngineerSurveyorStructural Engineer

For example, if you want your max monthly payment to be $800/month and you find a duplex that will rent one side for $1,200/month, then you can sort of reverse engineer how much your payment should be.

@Canesha Edwards My suggestion would be to start with a civil engineer. 

Regardless of how you handle the GC, you can then ask the GC to get "value engineering" type bids from their subcontractors.

The engineering inspector agrees with him.

We got a structural engineer to do a complete foundation inspection. 

His full time job was as a quality assurance engineer at a manufacturing facility.  

We got a preliminary engineering drawing done, preliminary review with the city, and the city told us we couldn't put as many units on it as we would like, and the improvements were going to be higher than we anticipated.