From where i stand I see the biggest challenge is finding deals which seems to be in scarce supply in todays market - i guess i will just have to work the channels like everyone else. 

My grandparents have had a few businesses and business investments in their time which have come and gone and they still say "real estate has always been good to us".I've been listening to the two BP podcasts and watching some videos on the YT channel which is what drove me to making an account and getting on the forums.I plan on getting and reading both of those books in the coming weeks/months.

There are many investors who establish an LLC or Series LLC in one state and then place real estate from other states under those entities through the "channel" of land trusts - you would only need to pay the foreign filing fees in the case the land trust gets revoked (if there was a law suit, for example.)

However if you are American then you speak the same language so you just have to find the channels they are looking in.

For example, assume the old renters are paying $300/mo, and we expect to get $600/mo after rehab.Do we have to officially evict everyone? 

He even recommended I write up an official document that states what work was being done, that he would cover all expenses, and that he would leave the new toilet in place upon vacating the property at the end of his lease.Does anyone have experience with handling situations like this?

@Calus Glispie in my state you need earnest money to make an official contract.

get a real estate license and list them.. your doing a ton of work and bringing a product to market that wont sell through wholesale channels.. that's a huge waste of your time money and energy if you good at helping sellers.. get listings listings are money in the bank in many areas these days.. and its a career that you can do for a lifetime.. 

So far, we've been listening to a lot of Bigger Pockets, along with a variety of other podcasts and youtube channels.

One of the reasons North Idaho is so great is that our county officials are elected -- not appointed -- so they are more responsive to the citizens.