We can also only charge $126 if we don't have receipts so for the work I did I was limited to that amount and let me tell you I was in there for 5 or more hours.  

Figure 10% higher tax (cap gains vs ordinary) and SE tax isn't too bad If someone is over the Social Security limit however still sucks paying it. 

That is fine if it is the right size and material, but if not, why not measure it and go to the home improvement store and buy the material to do the repair right.It was taking them a longer than average time for them to rent the house and it had already been vacant a month before that due to my last property manager.

Directly from Allregs  Fannie Mae's guides:Limits on the Number of Financed PropertiesIf the mortgage loan being delivered to Fannie Mae is secured by the borrower’s principal residence, there are no limitations on the number of other properties that the borrower will have financed.

They include (but not limited to) any loan mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, utilities, HOA fees, etc that occurs during the Rehab period and up until the property is fully rented.  

But also consider the legal limitations/costs in each market. 

first you have to decide what you want to do in the note business.. what most of the responses are talking about is buying bad debt.. and 2nds at that which this is the most risky and the most work..if your looking for work and risk and job then that kind of note investing is for you.If your looking for Passive income with no work and Limited risk then you simply need to align with a great HML who takes on private clients or those that understand where performing notes are generated.. we have done over 1700 performing notes for clients that last 5 years and really don't advertise at all. simply because once you get conservative investors in your program it just feeds itself.. deal flow is the key right now.. most have a hard time finding quality. finding defaulted seconds is easy.. and the most risky. 

I want to avoid personal guarantees and limit my cash outlay as MUCH as possible.

Maybe there is a time limit for minimum time living there that I don't know about, but I think you are fine.

Not to mention (and YES< I'm pulling this card), that I have a very limited budget, have 2 young kids, and am 7 months pregnant dealing with this issue from the east coast while my husband works full time, me part time, while taking care of our children on a tight budget.