I also have 6 rental properties in the Twin Cities, but I haven't been able to find a good enough deal to meet my requirements here for a couple years. 

Is it bc your brother is an architect... that's not good enough for me. 

It's a challenge, but the turnkey investor has to be getting a good enough deal to still get the cash on cash ROI expected from the property.

He does top rate tiling; good enough that he has done tile in my own home twice (bath/showers) in addition to what he has done for me in the rentals. 

There's always a way to work it out if it's a good enough deal.

but still in good enough condition to get a mortgage on.

That's good enough for me.

For you investors and agents helping investors who are buying in Denver and similar markets where positive cash flow is hard to find, what are the factors that make a good enough deal for you to go for it?

Are you getting it at a good enough price so that you can sell for profit, if they stopped you from renting?

once you made up your mind of long distance landlording, i would make a list of all the big brokerages in town, get a appointment all on the same day and meet with each one of them, feel them out, what they sell, what they do, what they are like, what they can get for you....in 2 days i can meet with all brokers in a small to mid size town...and walk away with good enough notes of what and where and whos good...