I think one of the biggest mistakes is investors and brokers/agents alike do not define their IDEAL VISION for what they want their life and business to be.

I was drawn to Neal Bawa's training because we are looking to scale our business to the next level as a syndication company.The techniques that Neal teaches during his training provide so much value to a wide range of investors from new investors getting started, to multi-decade real estate veterans as well as passive and active investors alike. 

I can do better than this on a SFR (in a like area) any day of the week.But what I am learning very quickly is small CAP's or little cash flow is not sustainable for a growing investment business.

I could be wrong on this, but to my understanding if the work does not affect the square footage of the house nor the structural components, and is simply replacing a "like-for-like" type product (swapping out an old light fixture for a new one, but the are on the same circuit and panel,  permits would not be required. 

That has to do with regulations, most of these are high interest loans which are considered predatory lending when it comes to lending on a personal residence.If you plan to acquire the property as an investment then hard money lenders & private lenders alike would possibly lend on it. 

What was originally supposed to be $6000/year cash flow now look a like negative numbers. 

The school district is the best and it is sought after by renters and buyers alike.

Or a gambler, who says you're making bold assumptions that he very likely will not win because of the statistics. 

Find a mentor (someone that is where you want to be) and shadow that person and soak up everything you can so you to can learn from their successes and failures alike.  

When you surround yourself with like-minded people (such as on this forum, or in a local networking group) you end up talking to a bunch of people who all think alike, and sometimes it takes an outsider to point out a fatal flaw in what you're doing, or to anticipate a risk that you didn't see.