The end goal is to minimize reliance on "traditional" working hours, while building equity in long-term properties.

Any information you can share on your process to effectively capture these deals while minimizing your time spent on them would be greatly appreciated!

However based on the photos I have seen, there are minimal repairs necessary for the property, and as result I do not know if my end buyer will be able to use hard money financing for the project.

That's what I would consider a minimal real estate setup.

@Abdul Azeez, I think that the problem is that you are stacking the deck against yourself trying to do all of these things on your first deal:1) Purchasing the property from an online auction site / bank, which is notoriously tricky even for the experienced investor, due to their proprietary contracts and minimal due diligence period and strict deadlines.2) Working with a new contractor that you haven't used before, or seen their work before, and who may not be used to dealing with investors.3) Trying to get conventional financing on a property that has a short closing time and where the mechanical systems cannot be tested.4) Working on your first deal by yourself instead of partnering with a local investor who can guide you along, or at least a mentor who you can turn to with questions.My advice is to make it easier on yourself by considering buying a property with a standard contract and longer due diligence period, network with local investors who can provide you contractor contacts and also some guidance, and consider using private financing or hard money instead of bank financing.In my opinion, buying from the online auction sites is a more advanced strategy that you can use once you are able to ballpark construction costs yourself and/or you have a trusted contractor you've worked with before and/or you have private financing or hard money set up so you can close fast and/or you can purchase the property without interior access and hope to get lucky in terms of condition (but still buy at a price where you are comfortable doing a full rehab if necessary without losing much money) and/or you are familiar with agreement of sale contracts and closings in your state so you can assess the risks of using the bank's seller-friendly contract.You're already doing the right things by asking questions on this forum, and taking action.  

Up keep is minimal in my view but depends on ones situation and time.

Only a handful of these properties would even qualify for Section 8 housing, which has some very minimal requirements.

If your tenant is already looking for ways to minimize paying you, you'll deal with that as long as you have that tenant. 

The other is north Birmingham area where houses are older and appreciation chances are minimal but the prices are $700-900 with section 8.

If anything, you're only gaining a reputation for being detailed and they know they can't get by with minimal effort.