I have bought and sold 3 houses already (ones that I lived in while I was on active duty) and during the time I owned each I was constantly doing my own renovations and looking for ways to improve them.

These deals most often involve bringing in investors either in the form of LPs or a joint venture with another real estate company, both in the form of a syndication (Reg D 506(b) or 506(c) ).

They all were kinda ugly and had rugs which would require constant cleaning or replacement:Here is an after, with vinyl plank flooring: It looks a lot better, but this particular unit had a pretty even floor.   

I constantly search Zillow and action.com for deals, but it seems like there’s something I’m missing.

I’m in a situation where my in-laws and I have agreed to split profits upon the sale of their house in Orange County, California. I would put in the rehab money to renovate their house. And upon the sale of the house...

Thanks for your response @Chris MasonMy wife have a been filing her tax return (and paying her taxes), and we have an address in the U.S to provide.Will the lender be looking only at her income or our joint income?

Yes, you can buy 50% of a property from any joint owner who owns 50% or more -- other than a husband or wife who hold title as tenants by the entirety. 

Constant airbnb's being rented out for bachelorette/bachelor parties all of the time.

Homeaway has been tougher, and booking.com can cause headaches with constant cancellations since it caters more to hotel-type people.

Be sure to limit the net passive loss allowance on your 1040 to $15K per year and assume that your other ordinary income stays constant.