I paid about 10k in repair costs this year for a new HVAC and the basement had to be excavated due to the plumbing collapsing under the house.

Large properties bring large logistics, management, and I learned to really hate clearing toilet and plumbing lines, you would not believe the things those people tried to flush....

Set your big goalsWrite them down.Break them down into smaller parts and work at them daily.Review your progressSharpen your saw (update your skills)Delegate those steps that you don't do well or that you don't want to do (drywall, plumbing, etc etc etc).

For example, you can estimate with a lot more confidence how much painting is going to cost than something like taking care of mold, or plumbing issues, etc.

Rent ready and sale ready are 2 different things.On larger properties my clients usually get what is called a "cost reserve stable" completed.This shows mechanicals, plumbing, etc. and where the lifespan is at today and in what year the estimated cost of repair will be for labor and parts.

And instead of attempting to give my buyers my own estimation of costs (and making myself look like a fool), I'll just say something like "kitchen needs updating, plumbing will need work," and let them figure it out for themselves.Brandon-Congratulations!

What about electric and plumbing, is there any way to know whats behind the walls?

I have never been deterred buying a property on other details like electrical and plumbing because I can re plumb an entire home usually for under 5k if its just repairs.

You need to know how much common materials cost in your area and what contractors charge for common renovations (plumbing, electric, painting, drywall, etc).

I will be having surgery in a couple months, at which point, manual labor will once again be feasible.I realize that basic construction is far from rocket science, but I did not grow up in a very handy household and I think that as a result of that, I am intimidated by carpentry, plumbing, electric, etc.