first time rehabbing a property any suggestions

In my opinion, quality counts. I've been in construction for 15 years and have seen some crazy things "contractors" have done and still get paid! You said it was mostly cosmetic work to this house so you're probably doing most of it on your own? Take the time to do things right so when you are done you can stand back and say to yourself "I would live here". If you can say that, you can leave the "job" happy!

Ryan

Create a Budget:
You want to ensure you create a budget for the work to be done. Make sure you list each item and all the items you want to do.

Get Several Estimates:
Before you start any of the work get at least 3 estimates for major items such as roofs, windows, HVAC heat/air, etc. You will be surprised at the various pricing. Also, check references and make sure you do not "pay in full" until the project is complete. Terms are just as valuable as price.

Contractor Timeline:
Get the contractor to commit to a timeline for each project. The timeline is very important so these contractors may not "string you along" as they take on multiple projects and have more than they can complete in the timeframe desired.

I hope this helps. Good luck with rehabbing this project. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

yo "Indiana Joe" thanks for replying to my question, hey Dean Speaks highly of you and ive read your posts online before i saw you on Deans videos blogs, man, you and your wife are so lucky to have meet Dean in person it must have been great. thanks for the help

thanks Ryan

Thanks for the nice comments. Dean's books and programs have changed our lives. We are so excited to be involved with real estate an are having a great time. We were fortunate enough to meet Dean at his Gain the EDGE event 2009 last April and then again this Summer. Dean is the real deal and is so passionate about providing the best information he can to the DG students. I look forward to reading about your progress. Good luck with real estate investing. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Any property you buy no matter whether its newly build or 100+ years old. Always, always, always get a whole house inspection (with exception of whats hidden in the walls) it can literally save you thousands and migraine if there's something you don't know how to fix yourself or you can't find an professional who knows how to do that kind of particular repair work in you area.

Know the price of materials in your area. And what contractors usually charge base on SQFT or linear foot for any specific work. Like Indiana Joe says get several estimates and make sure the contractor is bonded and insured and above all else properly licensed if their kind of job requires a license. Also may sure you get the appropriate permits pulled before your contractor start any work and that they don't conceal any pipes or anything else that need to be inspected by your county, town or municipal inspector.

I think what rikee said pretty much says it in a shell, if your doing the work your self then always take your time. You don't want it to look like you ran through there. If you step back and think wow that looks good then you will be able to sleep at night.

Hi,
I've done hundreds of commercial and residential knife and spray jobs. I'm a Master Mechanic, Builder and Painting & Waterpoofing Finishing Systems Specialist. I do all real estate and infrastructure systems.

Step 1. Knife walls using a 12",10",8" and usually a 6" knife, for corners and to smooth the inperfections in the walls and cielings. Knife up to 3 coats for super quality and for rental grade or flips a 1-1/2 coat knife job will do. This is called skimcoating too.

Do the whole house at once with all these steps. (i.e.) complete each step.

Step 2. sand using a sanding pole or electric sanding machine, all I use is a 1/4 in electric sander for alot of it. The goal being sand as least as possible, (its messy). sweep the walls and cielings with a fine broom, a 24" does it to clean off the dust.

Step 3. Buy 10-15 gallons of primer sealer enamel undercoater from a Benjiman Moore dealer and purchase the finish paint too -10-15 gallons, I don't recomend home depot paints.

Step 4. Rent an airless spray gun for a weekend and spray the entire home, again in one step, using the best product is (critical because you want the one hour dry undercoater so you can come right back over surface with finish coat/s), so now you have a foundation to put a great finish on.

Step 5. Do a super caulking job using sometimes 20-35 tubes, I use Dap latex silicone 35yr. this is key to a quality job. Do it for the value weather rental,flip or a caddy.

Step 6 Apply Ben Moore again, airless spray, off white colors are great for rentals and to use as a system for all properties.

If you want (the caddy) give it a third coat. If its rental grade or flip (the chevy) step 5 should do it. The painting can be done in one day - both coats, the joint compound/knife coats needs overnight dry times.