Depending on the scope of your reno, I concur with @George W. plan of attack. 

Find a real estate flipper/investor local to the market you want to attack (you can find one on BiggerPockets).

I had no intentions of attacking this without a professional, I just wanted to get an idea of what I would be up against.  

Dee, this is not an attack towards you...

I’m attacking this aggressively because I would love to propose to my girlfriend in the coming year and obtain a house of our own to live in, as well as the ability to help my family financially as my mother has been the only one working full time for the past few years.

I would recommend a bifurcated attack.

That assumes that Israel doesn't attack Iran before Obama takes office.

Maybe, with your experience, you might see something I don't, and offer me some advice on how to attack this.

Last Friday, I received a certified letter from a neighbor informing me his small dogs were almost attacked by my tenant's "dangerous dog" a mixed breed.

Or is it attack those who might be different?