hi guys, my name is Jeremiah and I'm currently in the body shop business.

That's a VERY smart first step. :)Liz

Some of the smart local guys are buying still and doing well.

I have found that by using my cabinet installer and shopping for all wood cabinets it works out much better for me price wise and otherwise. 

Sorry for all the grammar mistakes and typos, I hate typing on my smart phone...

Do you think it will be smart to start on the basement as the first big project and try to build more equity into the home and then in maybe 2 years sell the house?

There are many groups that make a good living selling these but yet very few long term investors , or smart money ( institutional ) goes for that area.I think there is a reason for that in the over all investment strategies.

Surround yourself with smart and successful people. 

And since your strategy is buy & hold, which is my strategy as well, I recommend Brandon Turner's book "Rental Property Investing: How to create wealth and passive income through smart buy & hold real estate investing" and David Schumacher's "Buy and Hold forever".Feel free to reach out anytime and maybe we can grab a cup of coffee and talk more.Happy investing!

BP is the one stop shop for all things real estate!