Investors generally want to pay for direct labor and direct materials and not pay for the contractor risk (OSHA, aebestos, LNI, litigation, construction defect risk management, lead based paint, surprises, injuries, etc.) 

I'm an engineer with a background in finance.Would be great to meet a mentor that could lead me in the right direction so I can get started on the right foot.My goal is buy and hold for rental income--build a portfolio.

Makes me think I should just focus in looking for a great deal through direct mailing instead.

I am thinking of doing a self directed IRA to pay for the down payment and doing a non-recourse loan for the remainder.  

.- I have to work under a broker for 2 years before I can apply for my brokers license in state of FL- I have to split my commission profit with broker and all funds/payments must be made out directly to the broker- the percentage commission I negotiate with property owners is my decisionDetermine best path to form Vacation Rental Property Management company being aware of my new status a sales associate- can I start my own business entity to establish and brand my VR management company now, or would/should I just wait the 2 years, get brokers license and then do so.

Eventough I cannot help you direct about MF I wonder if you know Lance Edwards.  

Less labor for the deleader ( = less cost to you) and if it's occupied, you need to cover the cost of housing your tenants while the work goes on.There are tax credits for deleading and loan programs in MA that you can use that don't have to be paid back until you sell the unit.

I don't see any incentive for a realtor to run multiple CMA's for us on a weekly basis, if we are not using them to buy the properties because we are working directly with the homeowners and our cash buyers.I'm sure I'm missing a step or perhaps I misunderstood some aspect of running the numbers.I was under the impression (from our training) that Realtors would have no problem running comparable if we just ask them...but I just don't see why they would spend their time running comparables if they aren't getting compensated.So I'm hoping some investor friendly realtors (preferably in Topeka or Kansas City) can help clarify and answer this question for me.  

Or make payments directly to them?  

I guess it would depend on what you're ultimately trying to achieve - it may be a better choice to go directly for a brokerage license, or to not have any at all.