I do ask them not to leave trash laying around as well, however I'm not sure if this helps, because the types of people who do this will probably do so anyway.  

I will be purchasing the properties in cash, likely from mortgage or tax deed/lien auction.

Quote from @Garrett Brown: @Michael Baum I do the same.

Never heard of this course or the guy who started it.

Quote from @Sean Carter: Hey everyone currently active duty military I would love utilize my va loan for investment  purposes don’t know where to start  in GA btw  Sean,welcome to the BP community and congrats on wanting to start your REI journey.

I’m looking for advice or opinions from others who have struggled with this or have felt like this.

If accepted, I have my inspector inspect the property and provide me a report on the state of all systems and structural. then I use this report to build my scope of work and know what repairs need to be made. then I type out this list and solicit bids from 2-3 contractors/GCs/ handymen depending on the nature of the rehab.

A cost segregation study would be more beneficial this year. 

Plenty of free resources and advice out there to help you.  

Quote from @Dave Rav: @Aristotle Kumpis thank you.