You may want to work with a "Design-Build" firm which is basically a combination of architect/engineer and builder combined.

You mentioned capital improvements, would this be similar to an upgrade rather than fixing AC or replacing water heater etc?

The dog has urinated on the carpet which will require replacement (professional cleaning did not get the stain/odor out) and possible replacement of the subfloor as well.

You would need to pay to get them hauled off if you replaced them. 

We also got a contractor to replace the toilet and kitchen sink with a new one.

The plane needs maximum power and effort to get into the air but once at flying altitude, the engines are cut back and the plane coasts.Your RE career has not taken off, you need to reach maximum energy doing productive activities to take off.

The first meeting is free so I'm going to go to see what their meetings are like and get to know a few people and then decide if it's helpful to me in the long run.Definitely take advantage of all of the resources here on BP but nothing replaces getting to know your local market and the network you can create that will help you get off the ground.Best of luck and hope to see you Wed!

Or the numerous times we've had to either bleach/clean or replace comforters because of urine, blood and other stains we can't identify. 

We can rent for approximately $1700-$1800, more if we allow pets (we are considering allowing a pet because our carpeting is 9 years old and needs to be replaced soon.

Scraping the property and replacing it with another home is possible, and what is a cost effective recommendation for a replacement.