We couldn't close and had to have (and pay for) a re-inspection, even though the hurricane did not come anywhere close by.

That seems to be the "safer" move when investing in RE. 

That is an option I didn't consider, but if the bridge loan option doesn't pan out I may have to re-visit that option, because the equity agreement takes a huge chunk over time.

Mostly due to the fact my spouse and I agreed on her to have zero involvment in any sort of RE investing (and its our home) I think once you have a good 6-12 months of reserve cash (operating expenses for your own life saved as a back up incase things go bad) save enough liquidity to get the ball rolling on your first invesment.

This year I received a bill from the PM with the following line items and costs: - Bathroom 1 : Shower/Tub Caulking | Re-caulk tub- Bathroom 1 : Toilet bolt caps | Missing bolt cap- Bathroom 1 : Window Covering | Missing miniblinds- Bedroom 1: closest to the front door : Door/Knob/Lock | Door know needs tightenedNeeds deadbolt installed- Bedroom 1: closest to the front door : Window Covering | Broken miniblinds needs repaced- Kitchen 1 : Wall/Ceiling | Pull nails and spackle- Living Room 1 : Wall/Ceiling | Nail and holes in paneling- Living Room 1 : Window Covering | Miniblinds need repairedLine ItemsDescription AmountMacomb Glass Invoice $40.99Sherwin Williams Invoice $40.60Walmart Invoice $62.37Total $2,271.271 of 2Ace Hardware Invoice $82.93Ace Hardware Invoice $28.33Ace Hardware Invoice $42.50Macomb Glass Invoice $188.58Walmart Invoice $135.30Ace Hardware Invoice $65.19Ace Hardware Invoice $9.78Shop Supplies $3.00Labour hours 24.18 @$65 rate $1,571.70Total $2,271.27This is a very small, one bedroom apartment in a fourplex. 

I mean, is it as simple as finding a few recent sales within a few miles on zillow or is it as complicated as finding a commercial RE agent who I'd have to pay to give me a CMA?

Would love to get on a call and learn about you and your goals in RE!

Join an RE group. 

Quote from @Heather Luu: Unfortunately, you would have to re-key the locks.Here's another option.

Could I have scaled more by re-leveraging?