If these folks had the wherewithal to acquire this in the first place they should be smart enough to understand they need the appropriate RE Agency to sell it for them..

If the property is appropriately priced or under priced and you offer 15% under, you wont be taken seriously

gonna update the property slowly but surely but i’m wondering something. would it be easier to find a handyman to put in my sink or a licensed plumber? i don’t mind buying my own materials if it would save me some cas...

For example, I'm not too sure about how to actually find good deals/distressed properties, and how to actually find appropriate property managers, CPAs, lawyers, etc.I think once I get started and inertia starts to build up, things will make more sense, but it's that first step that I'm finding difficult. 

I do understand the lodging tax will be an expense that needs to be remitted to the appropriate jurisdictions. 

But properties priced appropriately can still go under contract in a matter of days, sometimes with multiple offers.

They should be able to help you strategize what will work given your current situation and qualify you appropriately. 

Do not squeeze it into a space that you think is too hard to navigate comfortably but I think you have the appropriate size here. $40k also sounds very inexpensive and likely unpermitted so just be on the lookout for drive-by inspectors and make sure your contractors have proper workers comp. 

Since this happened before moved in, I don't feel right about exercising that and keeping the security deposit seems appropriate (hoping I can get a tenant in the same timeline).

Happy to hop on a quick call and connect you to the appropriate people.