For example, I could just refresh the kitchen with all new hardware or I can open up a wall to the dining area, move the sink/stove, move the HVAC and have a nice large open kitchen space for probably another 10k. 

Could crowdfunding real estate websites be an alternate?

Great website and full of great threads with experienced Investors and Realtors.

My credit is good, but not "excellent" because of lack of credit and new accounts open in the form of credit cards, which I did to build credit. haha I do have 3 bad mark on my credit from when I was 19, that will be going off of my report in a year, thank God.

But, if you find that you will have a large tax liability this year, every little deduction helps!  

Excellent advice.

Then look in the county assessors website to find the owners. it should give their name and mailing address.

My name is Sean Lamanna and everything I know about REI has come from books, articles, websites, etc.

Do you by chance use a website?

I think possibly asking for previous work he's done or just ask for a website that he owns just for credibility.