Of course, this is just my opinion but I bet I'm not alone..If I'm an investor, I think the returns you're able to achieve in Costa Rica are higher than normal because you focus on these large properties and, as @Martin D. mentioned, prices in that country are too high and returns too low.

Stewart Title here in SA will be your best bet 

If I was a betting man I would say the answer to that question is NO and they are likely promoting the 2-3% success stories as the norm and therein lies the problem. 

If the answer is the latter, is it possible I would lose the money I think I would save by missing deals while trying to learn and upgrade my site myself? 

You are asking legal questions and your best bet would be a quick consultation with a knowledgeable real estate attorney in your state.

I've spent quite a bit of time experimenting with a couple of these sites lately.

Another thing I've done is to go onto STR sites, and check out a couple things.

I've heard of mentees who started cleaning up construction areas on a flip at the end of each work day or picking up supplies at Home Depot and delivering them to the job site.

My thinking is that I can’t sell it now for its full value, given that it’s going to be in the middle of a construction site for most of the next year.

Is looking online at sites like LoopNet sufficient?