Finally, I'd just like to leave you with this, meet lots of people, do some informational interviews with real estate pro's (realtors, loan officers, etc) figure out your boundaries and exactly what you want, identify and work with people that align with those boundaries and desires, then go for it!  

I have no desire to be a slum lord, or treat tenants badly.

Being able to send a realtor a good referral is worth it's weight in gold.Best of luck on your new journey!

Of course that floor joist carried all the weight of the roof, transferring to downstairs wall, so we had to stop the job, get a structural engineer and have a fix done. 

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have many different affordable housing programs out there and some allow 2nd's to carry to weight of the down payment and others do not. 

Every market is completely unique and the prices for materials, labor, permits, etc... will vary somewhat from place to place, so you're probably not going to get a really precise answer on this one, but I'll try to point you in the right direction.The number 1 rule is spend less than what you can sell for, while still having a marketable and desirable property that will generate a profit. 

Good points, also perhaps making it a win/win for the seller with desirable conditions, ie cash offer, closing date etc.

@Tiffany Milan,For me, the right time to start came when I met my partner and we realized we had an equal amount of desire and excitement for real estate.   

Experience in the HVAC worldThat being said, I was thinking about a company that seeks out building owners with a desire to connect them to solid building services companies: HVAC, roofing, energy retrofitters etc.My questions to you are:1.

@Taylor Tapp How desirable of a location do you need for a str to be desirable?