For every horror story there is translations that go smoothly.

He probably also doesn't want to have to fork out any more money trying to get her settled, and so he's trying to get her move-in money back for her.Just a guess, but I've been in similar situations.This is an item I added to my criteria for things I would deny applicants for - if they show up with someone who said they weren't going to live in the unit, but they were doing all or most of the talking - and it wasn't a need for a translator. 

It will, however, immediately translate to higher taxes and higher home prices and rents - all good things for the leveraged real estate investor (the taxes are really a non-factor because the tax advantages - but not a positive).4) If the commute goes away, that gives people more free cash flow to spend on rent.

I’d get a translator.

His willingness to drive an hour and spend a couple hours giving me estimates has translated into tens of thousands of dollars for him.Win/win all around...

It has a learning curve for sure, but it is a really powerful program capable of doing everything you've asked about, and makes it incredibly easy to translate into sheets for permitting and construction.

When it works everyone is happy- agents, sellers, buyers, GC :) I feel like this model works for existing only however, because there is equity in the home already- not sure how this can be translated for ground up?

This translates into lower priced homes (compared to other markets for a similar type home in a similar type neighborhood) with higher margins which yields higher/better returns compared to your more popular/sexier markets. 

The goal is to utilize all 10 conventional loans on 5% down deals that cut my living expenses and quickly translate to a rental.  

Theory/paper won't always translate over well to actual practice.