I don't want to sound ungrateful, but I will have a lot of sweat involved, which I will get paid for at a reduced rate, but to realize a profit for me seems a bit of a stretch.

The kinds of properties we could qualify for without selling our house really weren't what we were looking for unfortunately.We put a lot of sweat equity into the house, and listed it right at the two year mark, so I look at it as a very long flip with no taxes on the profit.

My tenants keep the double paned windows closed all fall, winter and most of spring. They don't use heat because they don't want to pay for it. The air-tight windows get condensation on the inside glass, to the point ...

BUT DO IT LEGALLY DONT DO ON SWEAT OF OTHERS BACKS.

., a little sweat equity, bird dogging, etc.) 

What about if we have a little money, a good credit, an empty lot, a sweat flip guy (husband) and don't know how to start?

I am not a sweat equity person and would prefer to invest passively, so flipping homes is out of the question (unless it's a no brainer).

I would like to buy an investment property to live in and put in sweat equity to flip.

I think so......I think if you found a brownstone seller willing to sell at a nice discount that allows an investor/rehabber to make a good profit, and you locked that seller up AND could find more sellers like that with a little hiustle, I'd bet that the major players would be looking to take YOU out to lunch and try to ensure they're the 1st person you call when you come across hot deals like that.Change your perspective about having to sweat and wine/dine these guys.  

With $30K and some sweat equity, this place could easily sell for $150K - $165K.