The high bidder in these cases is simply put "into contract" on a short sale with all the baggage that entails.Very rarely will an individual owner place their property on auction.com, this my doubts that's what's going on here.

The best place is where like-minded individuals link up.

Most turn key companies can acquire properties and rehab them for far less than an individual so they are able to sell at market value and still make a profit.

I would like to get as much information as I can out of a client/individual before I even make the decision to meet them. 

I would meet with about 4 and select your contractor out of that pool of individuals. 

Maybe replace appliances if you want to but your best answer would be to look at what other rentals you are competing with?

But I am very a competent handyman (rebuilt my own kitchen; roofing; decks, etc)  and have saved my own family 10s of thousands over the years by doing the work myself.

However, when you pointed out all that you do (which is honorable) and the individual declined to a partnership, well, I now agree with @Chris B..

I have a S Corp setup to manage my real estate brokerage revenues and I intend to use this entity to track my flip business as well.  However, I am told several times that lender will not finance if I use the entity n...

The last thing I want to do is upset him, because he is a rather scary individual.