@Aubrey Painter - I've found a good place to start is with your local REIA. 

The electrician and painter did a great job.

I've seen masking tape pull the finish off after painters were done etc. can't go wrong with Mohawk, Shaw, etc.

Multiple times on this project I wanted to hire a carpenter, painter or handyman only to not be able to hire anyone for weeks or months. 

Suffice it to say my painter is thrilled about all the work.  

The home is 3 bedroom, 2 bath and a realtor estimates the home will be worth 120k once renovations are completed- though I feel like this is a low estimate compared to prices nearby on trulia. ( I would love input on recommendations for on affordable yet professional contractors, electricians, plumbers, painters, etc).

I googled exterior painters in Nashville, TN and this service called Thumbtack popped up.

Yesterday a painter gave me an estimate of $3450 to paint the interior walls/closets/doors of my 1285 sqft house. $400 for materials, ther rest labor...I can't afford that.

My painter uses them on my flips.

For example, if you're paying $10/hour for these people to paint, plus an average of 3-4% WC (about right for painters), plus liability coverage, that's likely a total cost of about $15/hour for these "painters."