You can also check meetup.com or search Facebook for real estate investment groups, clubs, or meetings in your area. 

Property appraised value increased substantially with improvements and new higher rental tenants

A full list of improvements completed4.

We are currently searching and analyzing properties on the market.My question is regarding "free" credit offers. 

Communication is challenging, most likely uninsured, but this is in-line with the budget.c) Keep searching for contractors, adding time to project and potentially costs.d) Buy scaffolding or rent scaffolding or a lift and demo myself for under $1,500, including dumpster.What would you do??

Obviously I will have a title search and get title insurance but I assumed they would still be required to fill out a SD but maybe not.

If the repairs are capital improvements (e.g., replacing entire siding), you’ll need to capitalize and depreciate those over time.The unpaid rent is considered a loss, but it’s not directly deductible.

I’ve had investors that initially bought SFRs in CA and accumulated about $400k - then sold the properties and now are actively buying fixers, small homes and value add properties where they use the $300k to purchase and improve and make between $200k to $300k per year in gross profits when selling a renovated or improved property.

A good property manager can protect your property, income, time, and sanity.Start by going to www.narpm.org to search their directory of managers.

When I search properties mainly in Punta Cana I always run into sites where condos are in development and have about 1 - 2 years till completion.