I got a rehabbing and building tip for you. Nothing big, but I consider it somewhat of a "fundamental" to my on-site project management. This is not a tip you've heard before because... I made it up (I think). Very simple...

When you are walking your project, make it a habit to scan the space with your eyes from the ceiling to the floor. Especially when you are doing walk-throughs and punchlists. I start my eyes at the ceiling, scan the top of room, and then work down towards the floor. 

Sounds dumb, let et me explain...

Being a rehabber (aka project manager) is a unique perspective in comparison to a subcontractor, realtor, or buyer. When you are walking through the site you are truly looking at the whole picture, everything from the frame to the drywall to the fixtures. This means you can't miss anything. As a matter of fact, I would say an important characteristic of a good project manager is someone who "has a good eye" and can catch all issues during the craziness of construction. Having a good eye is not just something that comes with experience of what to look at, but how to look at it. 

So why do I do this? 

1. It is always easier to miss things above your eye-line. There is so much for us to focus on below our eye-line, that we commonly get distracted from anything that is going on above us. Luckily, there is not much to look at up there and doesn't take long. 

2. Perhaps most important, this develops a pattern. The key to not missing anything in a search is to develop a route that covers all corners of the map. Same thing is true when searching for any problems with your project; you need to have a pattern of where your eyes go.

Again, this may sound dumb, but give it a shot. It's such a small thing, but once you do it you will have a more comfortable feeling that nothing is missed. Eventually it becomes a habit, and your punchlists become smaller.