I did check airdna, mashvisor, str mgt company estimates, etc, prior to going str and I think I was pretty realistic.

So, if the idea of hunting for your own deals is attractive to you how about just hunting for deals in general, making some money on those by wholesaling them, and then every once in a while you find one that you can keep.There are other strategies too but I thought that one might be a little more inline with what you were thinking.  

I think the best you can probably do here is sue them in small claims court to keep your costs at a minimum.

I think a newbie investor can bring non-tangible things to the table.

I Have been greatly enticed by The Flipstress, but can't help but think it's a scam???

You experience and numbers shared gave me so much to think about and consider, thanks for all the help.

They're 5 years in back taxes, can lose it to the city, and I think they have a squatter.

So, what it is it you would be doing beyond the three things I've listed that you think earns you a stake in the deal?

I think a perfect world would be convincing the owner to sell me the properties by assuming the existing mortgage and maybe giving him a little something extra.

And you'd think this is what the GC job is right?