It's easy to become emotionally involved in our investment decisions, picking a favorite stock, or buying houses to flip in our neighborhood, or trading crypto because it's exciting, yet if we are really honest with ourselves, if we are investing to build wealth, are we really making smart choices?

I like the KISS method and the idea of limiting the options. 

https://www.biggerpockets.com/...
its discussed here that exponential jumps is key to building the cash flow and financial freedom, if you have, say 300k liquid, how many jumps should one make to jump levels, I have ...

*I have 10 years experience as a contractor, I am also able to complete a lot of the work myself or with a small crew because my father was a GC for 25+ years and started me in the trades young. * My wife is an interior decorator with kitchen and bathroom cad design experience, she is also a home stager and can help with plans and lay outs.* We have wholesale accounts with several large cabinet companies, and granite companies and can get huge discount on these supplies, along with flooring, roofing shingles, and carpeting and other supplies.* My personal credit score is 700 and I have personal rehab capitol, but not enough to cover the home purchase and rehab costs. 

Your most cost effective and fastest method is going to be to apply some pressure.Good luck!

Assuming they have access to trusted and more affordable contractors and I don't have to manage the rehab (as much) it seems like a fair trade off. 

Thus, the house had been used in A's trade or business or held for investment within the meaning ofCode Sec. 1031(a) as well as used as a principal residence as required under Code Sec. 121.

The easiest thing to do is to find a couple good subs, including a jack of all trades handyman and then oversee the project yourself.

@Bryan Sturman If the seller doesn't really have a situation where they want/need to trade some equity for convenience, and they are fine with paying a commission of 4-to-6%, as well has having open houses/showings, and likely the majority of buyers that come from the MLS will be using lenders (who make things very complicated sometimes), then they should list so that they can get every penny out of it. 

It took me many 'rookie' mistakes, or using your term 'trial by fire' losses before I realized that its just not worth trying to be a jack of all trades investor.