Contractors, unless you have a working relationship with them, normally do not want you bouncing ideas off them.Understand what their hourly rate is, have a discussion with them that you are okay with paying them an hourly rate if they walk the property with you and provide you a scope of work along with an explanation of what you can/can't get away with in regards to improvements.ask them if you go with them, if they can credit you the amount that you paid.Once you develop a working relationship with a few contractors, you can bounce ideas off them and expect quality responses.I do not invest in New York.Best of luck. 

Most flat fee listings are willing to work with a buyer's agent and pay the buyer's agent commission.

I just had tenants move out of my investment property (duplex) without paying for the last month's rent, and the damage they inflicted onto the property exceeds their security deposit amount.

After communicating with a prospective resident (Google Voice #, usually by text), with just a name, telephone number and email, the applicant can pay $55 to provide us with a background, eviction and credit check.

Now a-lot of times you buy a home from someone with seller financing and they hold the note for 6 months to season it and then sell the note to another investor or a firm and then it will most likely show up on your credit because these are more sophisticated investors.In regards to the benefits of owner financing you won't have to pay closing costs to a bank.

How does anyone expect people in a place with an average income of 25K a year to pay an average of $1400/mo rent? 

I was willing to pay more than my competition.

In addtion when the net investment property is ready or on the ARV you can do the same thing pull cash out and pay off the original amount and use the rest for another down payment.

Additonally house tenants take care of lawn maintenance and snow removal, and pay all utilitites. 

Haven't been there, but pay attention to the foundation - if the floors are level there no action needed.