I always tell clients my job is not only to help guide you and help find something, but know how to get OUT of a deal if a cancellation makes sense. 

And they do a fantastic job on the inspection, report, and in-person summary as well. 

I think these jobs would pay about what she makes now.

Look for areas with job growth, rising populations, and low vacancy rates.

I have done full bathroom and kitchen gut jobs while tenants lived in the unit.

However, professional remediation is essential for quality results, complete documentation, and assurance that the job meets industry standards.

Break down your rehab into individual jobs, for example get a electrician for electrical work, a plumber to repipe the house, a dry wall guy to close out the walls, etc.

There will be much more government spending and jobs created in Mcallen to secure the border, leading to continued population growth.

Get a job in the industry.

Not to mention, you've now become reliant on a 3rd party for income streams, and yes, they do occasionally run short of funding and, yes, they have no compunction with telling you to pound sand until they get new funding.