Can Be an alternative means of saving up for the future. 

What is the subs steal your materials or file a lien on your property because the GC never paid them?

It may be worth looking into Soft Money (alternative to Hard Money) financing.

Updated kitchen, with all high-end material.

While we concur, in concept, that fighting bias requires a very in-present approach we've decided that if we suspect potential bias, we prefer the biased person's money or opinion that will earn us money over the alternative. 

Not only did I invest, but I wanted to work in the space, as I, as well as a LOT of investors out there, find it a very attractive alternative to the time and energy and expense involved with sourcing, renovating, managing these deals. 

One is if you qualify as a RE professional, meaning that you materially participate in the investment.

I told the tenant that I would need to call this property uninhabitable (since she had screamed at me about how the mold and bacteria from the sewage water can harm herself and her child) and asked her to find herself alternate accommodations.

If you are looking for a cheaper option, you might be able to find a general contractor that will do the labor if you provide the materials.  

My fence guy is not able to get to this work until the spring and was hesitant to even write up a quote now given the current cost of materials and the supply/demand madness.