I would look at people that are handyman over anything else, contractors will be used to getting more money and the amount you would pay them would either be too low, or the they would not conform to your work/company.

Brandon Turner wrote a book for BP called Investing with Low or No Money Down - start with that.

There are still people who are either young or fairly unsophisticated with money and choose to not use credit.

Quote from @Arshiya Taami: Quote from @Brandon Croucier: You have 600,000 problems.Bridge lenders (HML) Want low LTV (65% Max Typically). 

What factors should I prioritize when choosing the best approach for my future success in real estate? 

For example, I am a little concerned about some aspects of the business cycle recovery and a potential for a double-dip so I lean toward the safest part of capital stack which is debt (or low-debt equity).

Low prices enable more people to buy, limiting demand for rental properties so rents decline (in inflation-adjusted dollars).Population Growth: In areas with growing populations, demand outpaces supply, driving up property prices.

There is a book in the library called "Low (and no) Money Down" that discusses the various methods of financing purchases.

Can we all agree a dollar made in Austin TX or Bryan TX or Dallas TX or San Francisco CA, or Nashville TN or any where spends the same wherever you choose to spend that dollar.  

So I had a windfall and can sort of "semi retire" with a part time low stress job.