If you are renting a warehouse and they are going to go two tiers, and will be running salts, and rockwool and reservoirs and the whole shabang then I think it becomes a question of who are the operators, what's their track record and do they have proven ability to run a facility like that.

Can always request more, but those are some general to help you be protected + on top of record keeping.

A single bathroom or flooring refinish lets you test communication, punctuality, and workmanship before committing to a full-unit renovation.Check lien and permit history via county land records and the Baltimore County permit portal; repeat liens are a red flag.Use milestone payments.

As both a private money lender and a broker, I’ve seen these three challenges come up most often:Trust & Credibility – New investors often struggle to prove they’re “lendable” without experience or a solid track record.

I agree that you can use a Realtor with a proven track record. 

Alternatively you could go to local meetups, find the absolute best investors with long track records of success, and offer to fund their deals as a silent partner for some part of the profit and equity.

Keep all receipts and records related to the clean-up and removal.

These not recorded as liens, as they may not have financial obligations tied to them, but they are required to receive any permits.And I would ALWAYS buy title insurance, if you end up buying the house. 

Here’s what I include in my lender packet:Deal overview – address, photos, ARV, compsPurchase & rehab budget – detailed scope of work, timelinesExit strategy – flip, refinance, or rental (with estimated profit or cash flow)Security – how their loan will be protected (typically a promissory note + deed of trust)Track record – short summary of past deals or team experienceTerms – what I’m offering (interest rate, length of loan, points, payment terms)The key is transparency and communication.

SilvaAs mentioned refuse to do a land contract, do it as a traditional note and deed of trustIf you do a land contract then you would want to make sure the land contract gets recorded in the county to show your equitable interest