Over the past 6 years I have inadvertently acquired experience in the real-estate field.USMC veteran - Culinary arts degree - Jack of All trades - Master of none - Located near Charlotte NC --  First, in attempt to own my own business I negotiated a deal with a commercial property owner committing only sweat equity to completely re-haul a near lost cause of a building.

My thoughts are that I can buy a fixer upper, force some sweat equity, and then refi after the seasoning to pull money out to invest.

Granted if you get all the repairs done and done well it will definitely be easier to sell the next time around and you maybe creating sweat equity.John Corey

Sweating it over 1 day.  

I would think that sweat equity and paying for repairs would constitute payment.

The home went on the market on 10/7/13 and I'm currently sweating, biting my nails, and pacing about as I await a buyer.I love doing my own work on my houses, although I'm reluctantly learning that just because I'm able to do something doesn't mean I should do it.

Will use some sweat equity and some reserve funds for fixing up property and then rent for cash-flow.

I've learned to not sweat the small stuff, including rental income, and laugh along the way. 

When I was younger, and had less money, as well as more energy to put in sweat equity I liked buying fixer uppers.

I already put some money and sweat equity into the house, but it is going to need a new roof and electrical within the next 1-2 years.