However, the financials seem challenging, and I’m seeking advice to make this viable without significant monetary loss.As a side note, I’m quite the handyman—think ‘handyman on steroids’—so I’m open to properties that require some elbow grease.Any strategies or insights from the community would be greatly appreciated!

When you get appreciation here it tends to be appreciation on steroids, so big jumps in net worth to start growing your portfolio. 

It's the typical oversupply situation but on steroids.

It's also Savings account on Steroids as your return would be much higher than Savings account.Insurance has front-loaded fees like mortgage.

That is Renting on Steroids if you can get that going.  

Leverage is costs on steroids; it's really risk piled on costs. 

Any IRA can be set up as self-directed: Traditional, SEP, Roth.Checkbook IRA - essentially it is also a self-directed IRA on steroids.

A cash out refinance with a full 1031 on steroids!!. 

The Roth puts the whole thing on steroids since no taxes (state or fed) on the withdrawal. 

It's like the enemy method on steroids.