Bay Area, did a local renovation where I was able to do walk throughs with the contractor, and have pretty good control of this property, can check on it multiple times a week.

How did you find the deal/who helped you walk through it?

Who is responsible for cleaning the construction site and keeping public walk ways free and clear of construction debris since you are in CA without the ability to monitor the site?

Give you your $10k and walk with a $10k.

This is something that will be hard to judge at first but once you start getting the hang of walking a property, and doing the flips you will be able to estimate off the top of your head when you walk into a place.

Regarding the elevator, you will not be able to rent to multiple people who can't walk up that many stairs and you might get negative reviews about people having to carry their luggage.

We recently did a sealcoat project at one of our properties and a resident walked across the wet sealcoat.  

Then walk away.  

Learn how to consistently hit singles and doubles, and don't be ashamed to take the occasional walk. 5 years is a very short time frame to go from no RE to financially free (although you may already have property, which is an awesome start). 

And, no apology is necessary, I understand there are many in the same boat as you.I totally agree with Dion, new note investors should not be thinking they will walk into a bank and buy NPNs at a steep discount, or even getting them to sell one note.