This week I have 2 sellers I'm meeting with. the first has a 3bd/1ba house from 1885 that needs EVERYTHING. he put in new walls. it needs floors raised, a kitchen, 2 ba, lights, etc. repairs were estimated at 49k by my contractor.

Twenty five years old with a crap job, next to no savings, but lights in his eyes about the possibilities of real estate new. 

Do you have the time/energy/professionalism to do it yourself?      

Maybe all you have is time and energy, put that on the table!

Does anyone have real experience owning and operating multi-family rentals in Brooklyn and is willing to shed some light on the market and provide some pointers on how an inexperienced investor like myself doesn't find himself at a loss? 

Some background criteria you just learned about yourself: in your late 20s, engaged but no children, both work salaried jobs in downtown Austin, handy doing light renovations, up to $150k available cash down, credit score of 800+.So the question is, what savvy strategy would you take to kick-start your investment in Austin area real estate?

On the other hand, as agriculture and energy jobs--the main reason for moving to these regions, for many--become totally obsolete or redundant... and as the major urban markets offer more attractions than ever...

They basically gave me the green light to spend whatever I wanted (so long as it was under the Jumbo line).Seems a bit fast and loose to me.

Is there a banker on this forum that can shed some light on this?  

It's an easy commute on the light rail to downtown.If you are working downtown, I wouldn't go much beyond there.