Recently, I managed a home renovation project where the contractors were paid at closing, which significantly boosted the sales price.

There's no trees on the lot at it's manageable for someone to stay for 3-5 years.

Some related reading:http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/41/topics/6897...

I own a business checking account to manage rental income.

I've been going through "The Multifamily Millionaire:  Volume 2" and in Chapter 13, they talk about property management ranging from 4-6%, on top of on site management that is on the owner's payroll, separate from property management, and that you should budget about 1 staff member for every 40 units.If you (the owner) are already paying a property management firm, why do you have to have on-site management separate from the PM? 

Go to work on a Construction site as the guy who cleans up at the end of the day and sweeps the floorsJust learn everything you can about everything related to RE.

I am a local investor, broker, and own a property management company.

Partner Driven added value to the Wildwood Drive deal through strategic marketing and quick transaction management.

If your plan is to rent these places out, as long as the numbers add up and you can get tenants in there relatively quick, all you'll need is that down payment to get started! 

In addition to the workmanship, you want to work with someone who is good at managing time, people and his relationship with you, his client :-)    We are actually building out a network of approved contractors because one of the biggest pain points investors and landlords face in Philly is finding reliable solutions.