I do commercial property management and 100% of my sites are long distance, sometimes in small towns where it’s tough to get word of mouth recommendations.

I am not overly-handy (I never owned tools until I bought a duplex) - so far I've done basic electric (installing an outlet, adding a junction box, putting in receptacles, removing breakers, fixing a 3 way switch -- all things an electrician wouldn't touch -- or would charge a couple hundred bucks to do, cost me about 7 dollars - literally), replaced an exterior door, removed rotten siding and put up new siding along with replacing the plywood behind it, re-built the rotten framing of a garage wall, installed a ceiling fan, and just about a thousand other things along the way.

I’d love to grab coffee next time I’m in town in late November.

The property is very run down and in a very run down part of town so I was thinking of wholesaling it because we wouldn't want to keep it.

If budgets a little higher West Town is awesome sold a CA investor a deal over there and it's done 2 turnovers with zero vacancy.

The reason most loan officers don't fully know all these guidelines and understand how to work with investors is that their business is not built to accommodate investors.

Meaning, can/are you able to fully finance yourself with the funds from REI (able to pay your own medical bills out of pocket, savings built up enough so you don't need 401K, etc.)I just don't know what to expect and It would be amazing to get some insight on it so that I know what to prepare for.Thanks BP!

If Zoning has changed in that neighborhood, and the setbacks have become more restrictive (as many towns in this area of Middlesex County have over the years to discourage more building) then your footprint is NOT grandfathered in the case of a voluntary teardown. 

There was another group that has meetings in and around the Durham area (Ajax) that I asked to be notified when they are back in town. 

After I'm done with that I spend another 2+ hours a day putting together photos and a full property analysis so that people out of town are able to see the property in its entirety.