I'm also building a house with Delta.

Hi Chris, I've never met any one in the Atlanta area that builds to rent large scale.  

I think build to rent is a great option if you can get cheap enough land to make it worth it.

I am planning to build a portfolio dashboard for my properties in Excel, and I have a pretty good idea of what I want to see about them individually and combined. 

Is just the fact that no garage could be a no go for some buyers enough to build it even if it only raises the value by the actual cost?

You have to find a zip code that has a prevalence of multifamily and a pathway to build multifamily.

On the topic of building inspectors, make them your best friend.

I'm building in a brand-new subdivision.

Commercial Revenue Generating properties like office buildings, apartment buildings, retail centers, etc (banks call it "CRE" lending) are typically evaluated from their net operating income, not gross.

Quote from @Matt McNabb: I'm a solid $400k/yr job in NYC and have $250k to begin investing as my first step into building a portfolio, although I don't have time to be a landlord so I have to account for management fees.