I look forward to engaging and connecting with the community.

Have you got multiple estimates? 

Get multiple quotes and see if your contractor can match the price.

Get a copy of all of this before work begins.Get lots of references, before and after pictures, make sure that you get multiple quotes and scopes, especially when you are first starting out and are unfamiliar with pricing.  

They filed multiple bankruptcies without following through on every eve of my trial date.

And I didn't want to have my personal credit run multiple times for various applications in their screening process, especially if the owner then decided not to do the lease option or I would sandwich or a sign to someone else.

Through this I would also hope to gain a mentor for when I begin to engage myself into my own real estate ventures.

Additionally, you can use the economies of scale in managing a larger MF property versus multiple SF.   

I have multiple construction/contractor connections.From Metro Detroit area.I currently work full time, but have absolutely no problem getting out there, working nights and weekends, etc.

I put an offer on a property, and the listing agent asked if that was "highest and best" due to receiving multiple offers (keep in mind, this property is a complete hell hole and I doubt they received any other offers).They were asking way over the value of the place based on comps and the condition of the property (owned by a hoarder, needed to be completely gutted, new roof, etc.