And that means your investment becomes more valuable over time.BiggerPockets (of course) is an invaluable resource in connecting to local investors and professionals, who can tell you a lot more about the market (local blogs, Cromford type reports, etc.).You'd be amazed what you can learn by reading the local news.

We've resorted to paying people to handle and just bill back for their time and that's been much more effective. 

Here is a list of lenders offering such financing:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/2810/50272-list-of-non-recourse-lenders-for-self-directged-ira-and-401kYour IRA can not sell property to you nor can you be involved in any other transaction with your IRA.

You may not need a lot of money if you go the FHA route. once you generate the cash flow, it will be a cascading effect.

For example, a blog post titled, "You can NEVER make money with $30,000 houses!"

In effect the property improvements are often providing a greater return than the original investment was.

@Michael M.Welcome to BP, and congratulations on making the decision to invest in your future via real estate.I have written a few blog posts that may help you get started here on BP, and with your investing.

I am sure that the long term positive effect you had on them was probably even greater then the transformation of the condo!

An appeal shall lie from the judgment of a general district court, in any proceeding under this article, to the circuit court in the same manner and with like effect and upon like security as appeals taken under the provisions of § 16.1-106 et seq. except as specifically provided in this section.

If it's completely obvious cracked to hell, and crumbling then save the few hundred dollars you would spend on an engineer and go straight to a contractor but just remember they are in the business of doing repairs (sometimes not the most cost effective either) not giving you the best advice.