They can help lighten the workload on finding an ideal property if you give them your investment criteria and they are more knowledgeable about good rental locations & going rates. 

Sure it has happened to some people but that's a lightening strike goose chase for most of us.Start small, make small mistakes and fail forward my man! 

Emphasis on up-to-date, as I am aware the requirements have lightened up just a bit.

@Rod Hanks, I've lightened up my calculations and have been seeing quite a few more deals (Funny how that works!).

As for the rest of the house, I will choose one-color paint and use it throughout all the remaining areas that are to be lightened and brightened.

I hate having a phone cable pluged in to my computer due to lightening strikes as I had one that went right through a UPS backup and surge protector once and have been leary every since.

Its a very basic policy but will give you coverage for fire, lightening, wind, and hail.

This actually happens frequently but the opportunity will be proportional to the amount of experience you have (i.e. how many properties you’ve flipped) and how long you’ve been doing this (i.e. how many contacts you’ve developed over the years).Lightening could always strike, but the chances that any experienced lender will loan 100% of the purchase and rehab to someone who’s never done this before are pretty much zero.If you happened to find a really killer deal, it would be easier and safer for you to find an experienced money partner.

I would expect this person, for example, to provide a plan to open, lighten, and modernize the house, maximize curb appeal, etc.I certainly expect my selling agent (a top producer who will of course be very familiar with what buyers want in the area) will provide key input as well.

Do your best to lighten your load in life, don't haul you past baggage with you on your journey to your new life.