I am a former real estate agent (worked for three years for a large team in D.C. as a buyers agent and went through 30+ transactions) and a current real estate investor in multifamily properties throughout VA.

I would get a team in order.

You guys are a team and if she is working to not make money and you are working to make more to pay your debts your going in the opposite direction. 10 years is a LONG time to try and make as little as possible.

In regards to maintaining your property:1) Do you have an in-house maintenance team?

Louis and want to get a team together, i feel this is critical 

I'm wanting to add a General Contractor to my team.

If you have yet to assemble the team of boots in the ground I would reccomend the flight even more, to see the property and shake hands with "the team".

Our Team Members at Flowers and Associates was able to turn this property around for the client and is now scheduled to moved in by a vet through one of non-profits we partner with.

Either way, a competent agent will help you navigate your options and there's nothing preventing you from talking to one.I think most people here on BP would agree that a good real estate agent is one of the most important team members you can have. 

Try teaming up with an investor that can afford the down payment and if you have good credit you can put the renovations on 0% interest credit cards then pay them off when you refinance or flip the property.