Your varied on the job education/experience will pay huge dividends by increasing your investment savvy and lenders will be less likely to question your abilities. 

However, people do sometimes go overboard and spend too much money on deluxe kitchens elements that simply don’t belong in the house or in the neighborhood.

When I reflect on my personal investments, etc there is absolutely no way I could have gotten to where I'm at now if I didn't leverage my mechanical abilities to get myself through some of my first deals, etc.

Most real estate investors already have or have the option to release our original equity through mortgages and then defer capital gains for the rest of our life through a 1031.The only advantages I see for OZ's are if you have access to amazing development or value add opportunities that fall within all the guidelines and the ability to execute within the designated timeline.

It's just your ability to tolerate risk. 

Cash offer with the ability to bring in financing, but the offer is not contingent on financing.  

We do know how to focus on the customer experience and we do have the ability to step in and make sure an investor is having the experience they expect when unforeseen circumstances hit.  

The team leader knows what they are doing and you'll have the ability to work open houses, help out on active transactions, be present at inspections etc.  

I considered fixing and refinishing the existing fiberglass tub but got conflicting information from refinishing companies as to the durability of the refinished product and the ability to refinish a second time.

I came into this deal with a lot of hubris about my ability to obtain financing, NEVER AGAIN!!!