Haggling a money split was refused.Seems like she is wiling to take the (meat and potatoes) of your offer (working from a workspace) if you will cover that additional $200.$200 against your overall rehab budget seems like (small potatoes).Good Luck!

I know I know, this is kind of a "small potatoes" problem, but I'm wondering what everyone is doing to maybe automate this process or make it easier?

At least get an estimate on the work, a few grand now is small potatoes compared to a few higher % vacancy rate and smaller rental pool of applicants. 

I like the idea of working in the industry parallel to your investing, which can help you learn faster just through the osmosis of being around it every day. 

It's these more modest, relatively conservative models that are the "meat and potatoes" of my strategizing.Although net worth is part of my models, and many investors love to brag on their net worths, net worth can be an incredibly misleading number.

It's not the meat and potatoes (rehabs, PM, repairs/maintenance) aka my stuff, but it's extremely important for success in this world.  

There is something going on telepathically or it just sounds less like a telemarketer with a new script like they’re absorbing the non-saleseyness through osmosis.

What meals do they make potatoes and eggs?

If you search Toledo you will find many posts about the zip codes that will meet different goals...personally I keep half my investments in 43608 (with a rant posted about how dangerous the zip code is to those who go shopping without knowing what they are buying)...43608 is the zero-appreciation investment from my stand point because $20k gets me $700 in rent for a 3/1 so I don't really care if I sell the house for $20k in 20 yrs or $5k, I moved $168,000 in gross rent. 43612 and 43613 are the out-of-towner's meat and potatoes currently, pretty hot area and a lot of competition on the discounted properties that hit the market...assume you are putting $35k to get $750-$800/mo for a 3 bedroom house.Those are just my stomping grounds, I support my entire family on those areas (like Buffet, I have my eggs in one basket and I watch that basket). 

I've seen plenty of suggestions on wholesaling, but no meat and potatoes on strategies to build a buyer's list, negotiating or how to find these 'great' deals everyone talks about.