A strong agent who invests can help analyze deals, run comps, get rents, help you explore multiple investing strategies, strategize offers and negotiate best prices/concessions/ repairs. 

Or enter "for repairs" and take photographs of expensive new stuff for court...but they may be paying down credit cards.

So there will be the cost of the inspections (not cheap) and the cost of the repairs.  

However, for me, I would rather just pay someone and not bother with finding tenants, dealing with repairs, etc. 

Consider FHA loans for lower down payments and reserve for repairs or upgrades.

They're fine for buying a turnkey, older home that gets "spruced up" and comes with a 1-year warranty on their repairs.

Proactive, I do not have to ask them for information, they run annual rent analyses to increase rent appropriately, and they get after repairs.

.- Learn how to do your own repairs & rehabs to save money now.

A contractor may offer a 1-year warranty for general repairs and a 5-year warranty for structural components.Discuss any guarantees or warranties on work performed and materials used.

Within minutes of uploading entire disclosure packet, it automatically detects various type of documents (home inspection, TDS, solar, roof, pest etc.) and creates an insightful report of safety risks, costly repairs.