With regard to renovations, I always suggest taking incremental steps to bigger renovations or partnering with someone who has already done a renovation at that level.I've been known to just go for the big rehabs for my personal investments here in Chicago , and during that process, it's always more stressful than it needs to be...As far as navigating the competition, I've found the best thing I can do is get EXTREMELY CLEAR  on what I am looking for; then I am confident pulling the trigger quicky. 

I personally spend about 50K a year in masterminds and always get my money back just through network of individuals you get access to.

Mediation is a process in which the parties meet with an impartial person who helps to resolve the dispute informally and confidentially.

Personally I like the Section 8 program when the property is located in a super poor area with a ton of blight and crime.

A FHA 203k Loan is where the purchase price and rehab costs are rolled into a single loan.The downside of using FHA or a FHA 203k is you will need to live there, for a minimum of one year (to satisfy FHA Requirements); AND because you closed personally, you will not have Asset Protection, in the form of closing in the name of a LLC.

I don't know if they still do it but if memory serves a few years ago TD Bank would do a HELOC on a rental in second position but only if it was titled in someone's personal name. 

The strategy is built on your own personal cash flow commitment.

Others may have personal experience to share.

Personally, I would hold onto the home a bit longer.

I have a feeling this is designed to maximize retention of now dislocated persons.