@Ted Kontos Sheriff’s auction properties not related to foreclosure for numerous reasons - collecting on a judgement for a judgement creditor, property that has been seized (eg, from a criminal), etc.

Everyone would just ask their supplier to break out every invoice into line items that don't exceed $2500. 

If a "guru" is "teaching something, and numerous people have had agents, contractors, and lawyers tell them it's illegal, then no, it's not the students.

There has been a problem with the amount they pay me each and every month so far, and I have had to make numerous phone calls and argue with people over there to get them to even look into the issues and then they don't get resolved very quickly and it's hard to even get anyone to respond to you when there is a problem.Are there real estate investor meetups around st louis? 

They are already in the market where you will be investing and know it well and have experience dealing with all the people you'll need, such as contractors, city govt, laborers, building and zoning, material suppliers, etc. 

This saved numerous often stressful trips to code enforcement, saved time and money in the process.

Numerous podcasts, YouTube Channels, and Facebook groups cover the topic. 

Do you have great relationships with any suppliers?

As for screening and back ground checks, there are numerous sites that people on here use.

I am looking to find cabinet and granite countertop suppliers who are investor-friendly.