Suggestions?

My MLS usually has all the documents online like the property disclosure, rent rolls, deeds and more if the listing agent has done their job right.

My turnovers have tended to come because of someone’s need to relocate for a job or family reason as opposed to any other reason.

Just recently relocated to Salt Lake City from Indianapolis for my job.

Both of those properties are older and may present opportunities to get in at a lower cost since you are willing to do the updates yourself.I would suggest if you are going to go with more moderate theming, a larger house will suite you better.

Cost me about $20,000 for a job that should have taken about 4 hours and $500.

I think if a contractor 'suggest' to skip permit then I would stay away. 

Yes it was rent for three months and then tenant had to go with eviction process for not being paying rent due to job loss.

Always part time on the side of jobs/ businesses. 

Since you are just graduating college you may already realize that it's not what you know, but who you know (as a personal note, I had college friends that were barely passing their classes however they ended up with really good paying jobs due to "who they knew").