Leaving places like El Paso and Amarillo as less desirable correct? 

IS it worth investing not only 70k, but the brain damage and the time it takes to achieve the desired return.

Mat: We did sell one in a less desirable market. 

I go to local REA events (not as many as I desire).  

My name is Tommy and I'm new to the REI world but I've had the desire to get into it since I bought my first  home - primary residence in 2020 but never had the capital to start.

A desire and ability to share their knowledge4.

If I contract a home and use you as my inspector, since I have never used you before and don't have a way to judge your work, If you use me as your inspector, determine upfront whether you want me to be nitpicky and create the largest report of meaningless findings to aid in getting a price negotiated lower (often due for new bills), a minimum number of findings to make it easier to purchase (often the desire expressed from real estate agents who don't want to blow up the transaction) or somewhere in between these two extremes. 

Conventional is always going to be the cheapest, but sometimes it doesn't work due to a buyer's financial situation or their desire to keep a property out of their personal name. 

In an ideal situation, this kind of deal can benefit all the parties involved, especially if it's a highly desirable property; The seller gets some privacy, the agent makes a few calls, and the buyer has less competition.

If your properties are located in city with SB 721 enforcement mechanisms in place, I would contact the city for inspection guidelines and then find an inspector and contractor who understand those guidelines.At the risk of sounding undiplomatic, I have zero desire to pay someone $4K to drill holes in my balconies.