(Which is not my overall goal of course).

The next step would be for you to ask them (after you have vetted them of course) if you could put 10k into their next deal to help fund the rehab in exchange for watching the process.  

North Carolina, particularly in cities like Charlotte and Raleigh, attracts young professionals with a growing tech sector; condos or townhouses might offer lower maintenance costs here.

You will learn in one year by networking with these professionals than you will working by yourself for ten years. 

I have a meetup in Niceville each month, @Arianne L. has a meetup in FWB each month, and @Matt Robinson has a REIA called the Professional Investor's Guild that meets monthly on Okaloosa Island.   

She offers many courses for free.  

Of course zillow, apartments.com, facebook marketplace, Craiglist etc would be helpful as well. 

Previously I have done this several times and they are simply not professional enough.

Your lowest paid laborers, your bookkeeper, and of course your carpenters.

Of course "so called" investors are a waste of time.