As far as 20% down, I am not sure but I believe this is more or less consistent with the US because I don't believe banks will normally lend on rental properties for less than 20% down unless they are owner occupied.

In my view, it's challenging to find a great contractor without providing them with consistent business, which is difficult to do without having properties that require renovations.

Fortunately, it's the same here as it is for ALL personal relationships: transparency, consistency, and authenticity!

@Sam Hudacek - I always say I dont "recommend" any handymen because none of seem to stay consistent over time, but happy to give you a few numbers of guys we have used that do a decent job.

Make it the consistency you would use to build a sandcastle.

Also, we just launched a new vacation rental management division with the goal of offering owners and guests, consistently superlative service.  

I think Johnson county, KS area would bring me better tenants and appreciation will be more consistent... are there other areas grow significantly in Kansas City metro?

            - For any part of the project that you finance, whether it be purchase, the rebab, or both, do you simply look at the monthly loan payment for that leverage and multiply that monthly debt service payment by the number of months you expect to hold the property?           

There are good sponsors that have a bad deal but what I have seen typically is the sponsor lacks significant experience - they have experience in marketing and raising money - which is not hard when you are promoting 15%-40% returns that clearly were not achievable on a consistent basis. 

This team consists of an Investor Focused Agent, Lender, Contractor, and PM.Read this article on the "core 4".