Finding creative ways to value add could be a good avenue to get you in the door, especially if your partner is a contractor. 

From my experience, attending local meetups, lending-specific events, and networking with experienced investors can open doors.

Currently, I own 26 doors and run a property management company that oversees 350+ units.

My goal is to learn as much as I can, connect with experienced investors, and start building my portfolio.I believe wholesaling offers a great opportunity to get my foot in the door without the large upfront capital required for traditional investments.

It's a virtuous cycle that expands your network and opens doors to even more lucrative investments.One of my key principles as an investor is to provide attractive returns to my partners.

First you need to learn to separate the following:Maintenance: usually things related to wear & tear or tenant damage.Repairs: usually broken items like doors & windows, caused by tenant or nature.Capital Improvements: usually expensive things that wear out: hot water tanks, furnaces, roofs, etc.The seller is correct that Repairs & Capital Improvement items should not be a factor for awhile (ALWAYS get your own inspection to confirm).

Regardless of what you think you will it rent for or ask per door its irrelevant. 

Quote from @Kevin Zmick:One of the advices I read above was to be a bit less discerning perhaps and get someone in the door for 6 months at a reduced rate, and then find my golden tenant in the summer.

Quote from @Jordan Sachs: A dead tree from the property next door fell on the garage of one of my properties.

Home could've settled and nothing further to do or you could be seeing a bigger issue at hand that the seller needs to fix.