Will need about 10k of cosmetic work and some minor plumbing.

However, he asked me to sign a one-year Exclusive Right to Represent agreement, as presented to him by his brokerage.His interpretation is that it applies only when he materially assists me, but I think the boilerplate brokerage language he was given reads much more broadly:"If during the term of this Agreement Buyer enters into a contract for the purchase of Property through the services or efforts of the Broker or Buyer’s Brokerage Firm, or by or through any other persons during the term of this Agreement" (emphasis mine).My concern is that, under my interpretation, if a fellow real estate investor wants to unload a property or if I get pointed to an opportunity by a former agent, colleague, or friend, this agreement could create an obstacle to moving forward with the deal.In the end, I didn’t sign.

Plus the hours of material participation. 

If you research recent sales you can always provide the appraiser a list of those sales.One of the best ways to insure a higher value is to update the property using materials and fixtures that are popular and common in the area.

And does the person doing the labor get paid or only the materials paid for by the partnership?

We had to repaint the entire unit because the material he used left oil stains everywhere.

I upgraded the “bones” of the property and the cosmetics.

You don't see any actual receipts for materials or invoices from contractors they hired.

My wife and I were in analysis paralysis for sure, but then the academy dropped and we were sure we wanted to get into RE, but didn’t know how and this course was WAY cheaper than comps that ultimately just try and sell you a conference that just tries to sell you… on and on plus like you said, we got most of our money back and got to keep the material. 

Square footage is roughly 1600 sqft.Could use minor cosmetic rehab on the outside to make it look pretty, inside is brand new however.