There is a small town in Virginia north of Richmond (the other one) called Ashland and homes on the tracks there actually sell at a premium because of the architectural styles and the fact that the train is integral to the town's identity.

Maybe find an architecture student or recent grad interested in REI.

Are there any architectural plans approved and ready to go yet? 

Our architectural experience helps, but our contacts are primarily on the commercial side.Let me know.Rich

Go to college and take these electives:  accounting, business law, architecture, interior design, land-use planning, project management, landlord-tenant law, finance, civil engineering, economics, and securities regulation. 

So much depends on the specifics... what permits you pull (major renovation or minor renovation, ez permits or full architectural plans), what type of contractors you use (hands-on GC or hands-off GC, ones that are slow but cheap or fast but expensive), what you mean by gut rehab (just new kitchens & bathrooms?

Here is the issue. ( I am a master carpenter and was once interviewed by Architectural Digest for one of my jobs) There is so much that goes on between the slab, framing and  drywall that it almost never is a 45 degree angle.

I am a 21 year old college student at the University of Virginia majoring in Preprofessional Architecture.

I have recently started my own architectural practice and I am looking at using it as a means to invest in property. 

So my name is Cody Thompson and I currently live in the University Place area and work at an Architectural Firm as my day job.