I see people selling courses and books on the subject, but I'm not sure if it's just a pipe dream.

I'm getting into a home in Pine Hills which has outdated galvanized pipes, which are rusting and decreasing home water pressure.

I taught myself everything from running copper pipes to cutting granite onsite. 

If you get someone that demands to see all the wiring and pipes they will demand holes get cut in the drywall for visual inspection. 

Are there any specifics anyone can recommend that have worked well to find fix and flip properties, or am I better suited to get exhaustive with descriptors from the agent remarks?

Some of the major rehab involves Siding, portion of roof, new sidewalk, splitting electric (new panel boxes and meters), heating (new furnaces and re laying of duct work), water (new water heaters), portion of broken sewer pipe replacement, replace electric wiring to 2 units, new kitchen, bath, flooring, windows, doors (interior and exterior) in all units. 

All penetrations for pipes, duct work, wiring or anything else much be caulked with fire retardant material.In many areas a condo separation will require a subdivision plan, with engineering, blue prints and municipal/county review and approval. 

(Not including material, No moving of pipes, just replace tub, toilet, vanity, tile shower wall and floor)

Usually when someone offers these terms there is a boat load of risk......either an over leveraged deal or some sort of pipe dream.

I wrote a blog about this topic specifically for commercial multifamily, but a lot of the basic principals still apply:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/10191/67979-po...This is by no means an exhaustive list, so I'll echo what others have said and advise that you seek out a CPA or tax strategist for advice an techniques.