I have a rehab analysis spreadsheet uploaded in my file place which includes a Repair Estimator & Rehab Calculator to help you estimate repair costs and analyze the Max Purchase Price you should offer for a rehab.https://www.biggerpockets.com/files/user/drobertso...There are other good spreadsheets in the fileplace, or BP has their own web-based calculators.

Build reputation.

He seems to have a great reputation on this forum and is likely familiar with what investors are looking for.

You will never factor out all risk and the web will only prepare you so much. 

Reputation is everything.

An agent can't make you sell your home and from an agents perspective its better to end things amicable rather than get a reputation for being petty.

Could any of you recommend good areas in and around Atlanta, in reputable school districts, that are safe, where I could look for fixer uppers.

Just be sure to put a lot of thought into the full impact your actions have with the public...because it's damned near impossible for a new business to bounce back from a negative reputation.

If it's a long term buy and hold it's not a huge deal as long as it produces enough cash flow to be worth it.I would pay a couple hundred dollars for a structural engineering report and take a reputable mason to evaluate it as well. 

Get a quote from a reputable contractor if you don’t have enough experience to ballpark it.