I am looking for a legal way to protect myself against the owner changing his mind and living in a newly remodeled home financed by my money.

We have funding to totally gut and remodel them, but we will be in a crunch if we cannot get renters in quickly.

Or is it best to personally buy a home to flip and simply let him pay for the remodel? 

My plan is to buy a duplex/tri/quad via a 203k and house hack for 2-3 years while I remodel each unit little by little.

Any electrical, plumbing, bathroom remodels, kitchen remodel, removing walls, siding, windows, roof, just to name a few.  

We plan on spending no more than 10k in upgrades and remodeling on this property.

How  would I figure out how to remodel a flip to make it more appealing to buyers?

@Mary lou L.It's nice seeing a real estate show that isn't all the crazy California prices, though I'm not a fan of the down home style that they put in every single home they remodel.

It's NOT an entry level position.After several years as a remodeler and six years as a real estate investor, I finally thought I might have a good enough knowledge to be an effective wholesaler.

Just as a point of reference supporting your point: In SF a 'quick estimate' for a kitchen or bath remodel is 30k for basic finishes and appliances, or 50k for what you'll probably end up having to put in.