You're already thinking about long-term benefits, and it's great that you're bringing your contractor husband's expertise into the equation.To alleviate some of the stress, I recommend starting by focusing on quality properties in solid areas where you can add value.

If you are looking at properties in need of renovation, they want you to know your costs up front and many will be as-is purchases with the expectation that you aren't requesting repairs and your costs are confirmed.Depending on your state, but likely in all states, you have an inspection contingency in the contract, but what you will learn is that you will be competing against seasoned investors and contractors who know their numbers and houses so make better as-is offers.

The best opportunities to get seller financing is those properties that require repairs and traditional financing may not be an option.

I had invested in out of state RE in the Midwest before. buy & holds in OH that we ran into several issues with, incompetent PMs and lot of repairs required leading to losses and instability.2.

@Stephen Hood your idea is solid and shows good potential, but here are a few things to consider:Private Lender Terms: Ensure the lender agrees to the 1% origination fee and $2K monthly payments—some may require a higher interest rate or balloon payment at the end.Timeline for Sale: Factor in potential delays with selling your current property or completing renovations on the new one, as these could impact your refinance timeline.Refinance Feasibility: Confirm with lenders that refinancing at $500K is realistic, especially after recent rate increases and appraisal expectations.Exit Plan: Have a backup plan in case the market shifts or repairs take longer than expected, such as extending the private loan or bridging with a HELOC.If you can lock in favorable private loan terms and stay realistic about costs and timelines, this could work well.

The accuracy depends on the quality and recency of their data in your market.

The landlord could offer to mow the lawn and shovel the walk, while making the tenant responsible for repairing or replacing the washing machine.Landlords and tenants need to confirm what is required within their written agreement.

Quote from @David Griffin: Quote from @Corby Goade: Why are you asking them for permission to perform repairs on your property? 

@Laura CasnerFocus on quality over quantity in real estate investing, celebrate progress, refine criteria, explore secondary markets, and explore different property types.

Before listing it, I had lots of expenses, including painting, floor refinishing, plumbing repairs, staging, cleaning, etc.In a 1031 exchange, I purchased two small multifamily homes which also have some roof work, painting, plumbing, etc.