What say does a little investor have in any of this or other materially significant decisions?  

Purchase materials as cheaply as possible via Craigslist, Ebay, Amazon, etc. 

If someone could point me to some beginners reading materials, and possibly recommend a strategy to get some skin in the game (i.e. how to get a JV money partner) I would be very grateful! 

We "lucked out" and found one of our tenants was in irreparable material breach of the lease.

I've updated and spent about 15k in materials.  

Do you wish to be a lender, operate rental property, purchase stocks, metals, or any other of the multitudes of possibilities?

I don't like being near storage facilities or dry cleaners because who knows what hazardous materials have leaked into the ground and spread. 3.

I'm looking for an iPad app or software that allows me to design a room and also provide a list of all materials needed.  

@Nathan Adams Unless it needs to be painted there is not much you can do other than paint...not sure but maybe a clean light gray.Some older 1960’s condos here built bIg planters out of wood and galvanized metal...very cute.

They also have better costs on material because of volume discounts and have better sources for big ticket items like furnaces and AC's.