My purpose is two-fold: 1) to help me keep organized and have a reference manual that I can look back on, add to and tweak as needed 2) provide instructions for every task that I could possibly outsource/hire out down the road so that I can scale and grow my business.Any stories, tips or advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated.  

No one can take you to task  you for working with him.  

I will also be a nice guy and get enough of a down payment out of him to cover the cost of the credit repair that I will perform for him so that he can cash me out early, once his repairs are complete.  

If you manage your own properties, perform repairs, etc this is sometimes the case.

Currently most interested in hard money lending and non-performing notes.  

Your IRA can lend it to other investors, it can partner with other investors, it can buy notes that are performing or non-performing.

Just keep in mind that looking at the real estate cycle is entirely focused on past performance.

Even if there might be a loophole, I'd sue for performance and attach a lis pendens to the title.  

If the house has equity, why not try to take out a HELOC and perform some of the repairs while the renter is still there?

Since BP banned our founder for doing that.However, information is so valuable and important I have been given the task, to just keep writing.Hopefully you and @Bryan Hancock can understand that.