Since this will be the house you live in take advantage of a regular mortgage and use the rest to buy an investment property. 

He took a week off from his regular job to work on the kitchen, still not much progress.

I am a Zillow Premier Agent and regularly upload my recent sales so that I appear to the public as the "Super Agent" that I profess to be, LOL.  

Be careful to account for this.Rehabbed properties (with proof of repairs) and regular properties without title seasoning problems can also be set up this way – with much better scenarios than the ‘flipping’ example above.

Be careful to account for this.Rehabbed properties (with proof of repairs) and regular properties without title seasoning problems can also be set up this way – with much better scenarios than the ‘flipping’ example above. 

But, while you're new, talk with the PM regularly to at least get a good idea of what they're doing with your property.

There are specific way to structure it and minimize risk, that's why I'd like to find a local attorney who does these deals on a regular basis.  

Looking for an agent who can regularly send me (and eventually show) great MLS and off market deals.

Communicate with your contractor often, do your research, visit the project regularly, and pay all your bills on time, and hopefully you'll build a strong partnership/relationship that you're both happy with at the end of the project.Good luck!

If it passes inspections make sure you have rodent control in place and clean your gutters & roof regularly, do annual tree trimming etc.