According to the neighbors and what I found after they departed, not so much.I recently attended a retirement seminar and had my eyes opened to a world I had not thought of, so I started researching.

You will save a lot.

Save up more (not just the down payment) and pay cash for properties? 

I also don't think I have enough cash saved to do a renovation.

If not, what should I plan for as far as saving up?

I had no money saved and an opportunity to purchase a house on land that had been in my wife’s family for more than 5 generations.

It might cost you a little but it could save you a bundle down the road. 

I think that would be a good idea, since the real obstacle for me is getting the savings for a down payment setup.

I'm a big believer in Diy, but you need to balance the savings of diy with the cost of holding the property.

Have a few properties and the guy who used to help me has retired.