Hi Karl, I diy it.

I was looking at test kits from home depot.

AndrewYou can DIY or consider investing as a limited partner in larger apt deals or both.

I don't mind bridge funding materials for the things I'll be self-performing, but curious about actual experiences getting reimbursed via draws for DIY repairs (materials only, obviously). 

The most affordable way to search title is DIY since the info is all in the public record.

There are test kits you can buy to check.Lead based paint can be expensive to remove.

You can either know what you're getting into and do things yourself or spend a bit more money going for a less DIY approach (while still learning).Like @Anthony Gayden said, I always suggest people without funds start out working for a property management company.

DIY tv has made a mess of the market.  

Many OOS investors set themselves up for failure because they don't truly take the time to understand:1) The Class of the NEIGHBORHOOD they are buying in - which is relative to the overall area.2) The Class of the PROPERTY they are buying - which is relative to the overall area.3) The Class of the TENANT POOL the Neighborhood & Property will attract - which is relative to the overall area.4) The Class of the CONTRACTORS that will work on their Property, given the Neighborhood location - which is relative to the overall area.5) The Class of the PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANIES (PMC) that will manage their Property, given the Neighborhood location and the Tenants it will attract - which is relative to the overall area.6) That a Class X NEIGHBORHOOD will have mostly Class X PROPERTIES, which will only attract Class X TENANTS, CONTRACTORS AND PMCs and deliver Class X RESULTS.7) That OOS property Class rankings are often different than the Class ranking of the local market they live.8) Class A is relatively easy to manage, can even be DIY remote managed from another state.

While you may think the do-it-yourself approach may save you on your management expenses, the complexity of the market, COVID regulations, maintenance costs and ensuring the profitability, DIY could in fact be more expensive in the long run.