There are several options for skip tracing to find phone numbers and email addresses.

I hope to find a single-family home with at least 4 bedrooms, use the BRRR method to turn it into a short-term rental property.

Finding 1 solid deal this year could be your goal.

Builders are stepping up to meet demand, and buyers are taking advantage of opportunities in new construction that they simply can’t find in the existing-home market right now.

There is an Upstate New York AirBNB Investor group that you can join and likely find some MTR investors in the Syracuse area.

We have a lot of investors that are way more flexible.Which lenders do you find to be more flexible? 

We’re considering whether to do mid-grade updates and rent it soon if we can find a good next property though acquisition and ongoing costs are a problem.

Additionally, the price point is still cheap enough to find the 1% rule and positive cash flow and there's amazing appreciation potential.

So I get your hesitation to be too demanding and your desire for the problems to go away as fast as they can, however since you have NO property manager ( I don't use one either), it is incumbent that you take a more ACTIVE approach with management of your property.Let's review your situation.  1st time leak occurred, you sent a plumber over to find the problem.  

Depending on how the water is getting in, there may be cheaper methods for sealing the basement walls from inside.Keep shopping until you find someone trustworthy with solutions.I would also consider going after the first contractor because they robbed you.