(Obviously, depends on the neighborhood and I know there is a good amount of crime)I could fly out to buy/live there for a while to get it fixed/rented since I'm taking a break from work.

Some may prefer STRs, fix and flip or wholesaling.

I'm looking seriously at expanding my REI business include buying, fixing and flipping REO properties!

Should I speak to my lender first and see if they can match?

Who is a hard money lender doing fix and rent and DSCR loans sub $100k? 

So, if you can't match whatever is already in the kitchen, then I highly recommend you do kitchen and dining area.  

Your mechanicals and capital expenditures are a lot more important and more expensive to fix than a pretty kitchen. its better to live in outdated kitchen and have a well kept home with updated mechanicals/roof/hvac than one that looks pretty but will start to crumble5.

It varies if its Fix and Flip, Acquisitions, Refinance etc.Long Term Rental ("LTR") .... 

And many times these properties cost more to fix up than to tear down and rebuild. 

And I offer to fix anything or do updates as soon as I buy the properties.