I have also purchased using Real Wealth Network, and they do a much better job of vetting the local markets and providers and will stop recommending any providers or vendors if investors are giving poor feedback. 

Instead, I'd just rely on a CMA (comparative market analysis) of renovated properties in the area from your realtor unless you have local MLS access yourself to run the report. 

You can stop reading and start organizing.Buy more properties.

To remodel your primary home you could access the home's equity to cover the cost of your remodel. 

Select accounting and bookkeeping firms have access to software like Quickbooks Online at a discount, and a few of them even pass those discounts along directly to the customer! 

I had a gut feeling something was not right and I feel I have made the right decision to stop, especially as a struggling student.

Quote from @Bill H Reed: Have a question regarding this topic..I have several mobile homes in Tennessee and there's a large pasture behind them which has a lot of field mice and they have a tendency to get in the house there's no way to stop this..

To implement this strategy you need to have the full purchase price in readily accessible funds, so it won’t work for the majority of investors.

If you didn't budget your rehab correctly, and don't have access to more money, you will be stuck (this is also true if you buy with cash without any excess money).  

Best bet is likely (not absolute - everyone's situation is different) is to look at a national lender or broker that has options in lots of states - its a great development versus 20 odd years ago, with technology, internet, places like this - can have access to many more options than before (local broker or lender thats it)