For example, build a buffer into your timeline and budget based on your previous experience with contractors, or seek out properties where the rehab is more cosmetic than structural to reduce the complexity. 

They did find something a month later , I did a walk thru for them , it just needed cosmetics , nothing major .

"no fha", "cosmetic"

Updated cosmetically, added in unit laundry and new appliances.

Ideally it would be mostly cosmetic and nothing serious as my free time is fairly limited with work/school.

@Alecia Loveless, I agree for a cosmetic issue not affecting habitability isn't anything that needs to be addressed immediately.

It was a working building for $90k that just needed some cosmetic updating. 2 bedroom units and a 3 car garage.

The house rents for $1200 month currently and will be able to get $1600 if renovated (finish basement bathroom, new flooring and fixtures, mainly cosmetic).

We don’t quite have the time/resources to do a total renovation, but we were always hoping to house hack in a decent multifamily that we could do some cosmetic upgrades on and could hold and sell down the line after he moves from Ft.

if you're seeing something that is occupied and "just needs cosmetics"... you likely won't get the ARV boost that will make it worth buying.