Try a hard money lender if traditional banks are giving you the cold shoulder.

We have also flipped almost two dozen of them before the bubble burst.The typical national home is a 3 BR one bath. and the exterior length and width were built with 4' sections.

I would say buying a distressed house and depending on someone to fix it up after the sell is a huge risk--a risk that falls 100% on your shoulders. 

It means they can screw people as they are "helping" them, within the limits of the law, and no one is looking over their shoulder.

I left out the width and other stuff, but that right there will pretty much get your picture uploaded and link it to your website of choice.

Mentors are there to look over your shoulder and to stop you from making a mistake. 

I know there are seller disclosures but what's to keep a dishonest or shady seller from shrugging their shoulders and saying "Oh, I didn't know that.

One thing I'd keep in mind when looking at potential sites is the width of the lot (it changes what your base height limit is for a DADU and can make getting a second level in more difficult) and the maximum lot coverage for the site in question. 

The fact that Steve successfully applied the material to do a deal puts this head and shoulders above most recommendation.

There is always more room in any market.Statistics have shown less than 1% of those who claim to be a real estate investor ever do enough to actually make it happen.Don't look over your shoulder.