It seems very difficult to try to reach the mortgage company to try to talk with someone about the property and I'm not sure if that would be fruitful of not if I did. 

We just need to know how to screen the bad ones out, like going to a store and picking the best fruit in a pile.

I have seen people go freakin nuts while trying to beat another investor for a deal.  

Make sure you are accounting for all expenses, taxes, maintenance, HOA, cleaning, furnishing, etc, etc, etc.If it cash flows...it cash flows.  100% OPM is nuts.  

My wife I are going to renovate and update the entire house, build a large wrap around deck with a pool and hot tub, and do extensive landscaping filled with native plants and fruit trees.

My wife I are going to renovate and update the entire house, build a large wrap around deck with a pool and hot tub, and do extensive landscaping filled with native plants and fruit trees.

My wife I are going to renovate and update the entire house, build a large wrap around deck with a pool and hot tub, and do extensive landscaping filled with native plants and fruit trees.

Now I am looking for a book that is more nuts and bolts on the non RE side of a an RE business.

The later choice takes times and rarely bears fruit in our experience. 

It seems that I am spend so much time with people I would not accept because they will drive me nuts!