I am looking for a solid contractor that someone can recommend to do some work on places in the KC area.

In fact, given solid credit and a decent loan size you can even tap up to 50% of the appraised value to cover closing costs.   

Where do I find cheapest Solid Surface material and install in Atlanta Georgia area?

This is poor and toxic behavior imo  the fact is though, that S8 are just people no different than anyone else, some are wasting air while most are outstanding humans.

Subject to's are really simple to do but without seller motivation its a waste of time.

ARV will be a solid $85,000. 

Are we better off leveraging these funds to start our real estate venture immediately on a solid footing, assuming that in the long run (10, 15, 25 years) we will be able to compound and leverage our gains to build wealth far faster than we would waiting 5 years to save for an adequate down payment for our first property? 

If they don’t fit my needs for this or that unit, they aren’t the right tenant so following up is a waste.

I don't know Temple - but would think if you have a solid viable proposition someone in the Temple - Waco area would fund it for you.

Think of it this way:Snag a house in the hottest market in the country --> pain to finance (HML or otherwise) ---> can't/barely afford payments ---> try to hurry the fix n' flip process ---> make rookie mistakes under pressure ---> waste time, money and resources.Either your mentor is ripping you off OR you did not understand his system by asking the right questions.