I'm also not completely tied to a buy and hold structure if it would make more sense to flip a house with someone else's money to get a better ROI.

If you need a complete guide on how to start investing, I will be your master of the universe.

We used to purchase a number of our flips from the trustee sales, but lately the prices are completely out of control.

I'd also recommend reading Multifamily Millions by David Lindahl, Jake & Gino book on multifamily investing (don't recall the title), as well as Steve Berges "The complete guide to buying and selling apartments..."

I completely understand that investing can be accomplished without "official" education, I simply have a chance to further mine (so why not right?)

The properties completely paid for.

I will add as a investor in the college market.I own a 3/1 ranch house 1 block from Rowan University (Glassboro) It is a completely different market than Northern NJ (where I live).  

I ran into a contractor who has the capital to complete the rehab.

If they do not like the circumstances, it is completely okay for them to walk away and say no.

As long as you can update some major items on a property you should be able to get the higher value that is needed for you to complete the BRRR.