Quote from @Yvonne Wang: First time working with a contractor here.

Instead of platforms like Angi, try building relationships directly with contractors, architects, and developers.

The time has come for me to start investing in real estate and before doing so i'm looking to build a strong and dedicated team of partners: agents, lenders, contractors and property managers mainly in the Cleveland area (but also open to markets within a 2-3 hr drive away) that already possess an excellent track record in their line of work and that value long term collaboration.

Our contractor was a crook.

I would suggest you hire an inspector as well as have a general contractor go out to the property.

It's understandable that unexpected things arise sometimes, especially when you're opening up walls or dealing with older electric or plumbing.

If you’ve worked with trustworthy contractors or subcontractors in the Jackson County/MO area (especially those familiar with investment properties), I’d love your recommendations.

We decided to outsource major tasks such as septic installation, plumbing, heating, and carpentry, while handling smaller projects ourselves—a decision that proved beneficial.

However I did note that houses are mostly really old, e.g. 100 years or older... any idea if this poses challenges in things like lead paint presence, outdated wiring, rusty plumbing, etc., or have many of the homes already been updated?   

You may need to replace insulation, sheetrock, or even framing material.The only way I would touch it is to have a contractor give me an estimate for renovation, then lower the price far enough to handle that renovation.