My advise to you is to not using your full 80k to do a renovation but instead start off smaller (30k-40k).

Here are some tips on doing comps when you do them:1. use the same bed count, go up or down a half bath2. start at a 1/2 mile radius from your target house (expand 1/2 mile each time to get more comps)3. start at 3 months back (expand 3 months more each time to get more comps)

Have a solid NDA/buyer representation agreement on hand that is sent in advance of any deal you send to them.

It is very hands on and offers the ability to Finance, Wholesale and or Invest in Commercial Property.

I am new to real estate investing and thinking of starting off by doing a "house hack" via renting out the unused basement as a short term rental (AirBNB, Vrbo etc) in my single family home which is used as primary residence.

This is what I would do if starting out in real estate and wanted to buy my own home and start getting rental income and experience.

On the other hand, you want to keep your tenant happy so I would consider just paying it if its not too much.

But, if the cost is fairly nominal, maybe under a couple grand, and you have no experience in real estate, including owning your own home and hiring contractors for that, then it is likely worth it.I would always start with a deep assessment of where you feel you don't have adequate knowledge.  

He wants to be as hands off as possible including any liability during renovation, etc. 

looking back I got a decent deal but it took too long to close and I need to find a team for the long term to accumulate fourplexes or build them.I'm wondering if people involved are just washing their hands if my deal rather than grow from it.Emails from before closing were insane looking back on it.