The way the contractor would attack the issue would to rip up the floor on the second floor and repair the joist as needed once it open up.

First of all, no mentor is going to sneak attack you that way.

Reemphasizing what @Sheryl Sitman said, a lot of this comes down to your plan of attack.

That said, your first real estate investment could be your primary home (I know this article says "retirement" but really... it can be a plan of attack for any stage of investing). 

I would say if your model is to target a certain areas with less competition, better cash flow and low appreciation then make your plan to attack that area and do it well.Always be prepared in the hot areas because when a deal from there falls in your lap you need to be prepared financially to act.My 2cents

Door knocking is cheap and so are mailers if you are focused and deliberate in your attack.  

You need to figure out a plan on how you plan to attack one or more of those target areas.

You need to figure out a plan on how you plan to attack one or more of those target areas.

Think: the fiasco this last summer downtown on Hennepin Ave, where they did a bunch of controlled buys, after complaints of violence, attacks, drug dealing/use in the open.

You need to figure out a plan on how you plan to attack one or more of those target areas.