Needs gutters, full kitchen and bath, floors, paint with some drywall repair, windows, front porch and the deck on the rear is pretty poor as well.

You'll want to focus on securing a favorable financing deal at the refinance stage—ideally, you want to pull out as much of your initial investment as possible while keeping monthly payments manageable.A big consideration is understanding your after-repair value (ARV) and ensuring the rehab costs add value in proportion to that.

Could I instead hire foundation repair and soil stabilization services to prevent foundation issues?

I'm also finding that a single large repair can wipe out a whole year of income, making me wonder if cheaper cashflowing properties is the right play. 

Commissions would be 5% or $50k plus repairs, moving out my furniture etc.

Year long lease typically, with subletting allowed to offset summer months cost to tenant.I worked out some high-level math: Assuming there is a 6 bedroom single family house for sale for 800k, and I can rent for 6k/month.Financing: 350k cash, 450k loan @30yr, 3.8%.Assumptions: 7% vacancy/yr, $4000/yr repairs, $10k/yr property tax, $4k/yr insurance, 8% management fee+50% first month rent on new leaseMonth-to-month breakdown: Income: $6000 Vacancy, Mgmt fee, repair, taxes, insurance: $2300Loan PI: $2650I'd take home ~$1000/month. 

Future flips should focus on negotiating better deals and ensuring a strong after-repair value (ARV).

This targets family’s between homes, either because they just moved to the area; have a definitive time work contract; current house is being rebuilt/remodeled/repaired; students with “rich” parents; recent separated/divorced who needs space for children visits; Houston medical center stays; etc.  

Unless you had a foundation repair company you trust tell you needed a french drain.

Over the years some exterior maintenance needed, soffit/facia repair/paint, rubber roof on porches, new boiler, new breaker, new washer/dryer/microwave, tree removed, porch rail replaced....