I have purchased many properties, and nearly all are rented and mortgaged privately, just completed major renovations and have 2 more to complete now. 

A complete remodel of this house with new floors new kitchen cabinets and new bathroom fixtures and cabinet and floors would be about $18,000.

I don't know any private lenders since I'm a complete newbie.

I am doing a BRRRR right now where I am living in the mother in law suite, while rehabbing, and will rent out the main house (3 bed 1 bath) when complete.

My mom is selling her home and I am considering becoming the buyer for two reasons: 1) She would sell it to me at a much lower price than another buyer. 2) I can see how I can take it and turn it into a profitable cash flow property.Let me explain: It's an old 1 family home that is very small BUT the lot is big enough to completely demolish the current home and build a house that can easily have 4-5 One Bedroom Apartments which can go for $1,300-1,500/ mo. in the town where the house is located. 

I had my taxes completed by this person for 2017 and things seemed to be going fine.

For multi-family, if there was an option for increase of value I'd of course see that as a bonus for completing the deal too. 

Some areas are great but two blocks over are a complete disaster.

The neighborhoods we are either completely or mostly STR's.If every city did it this way, there would not be so many issues.I think that what is eventually going to happen is that the cities that do it right and that have a reason for tourists to visit will end up becoming much more attractive to vacationers than cities that don't.

I'd completely ignore the zestimate and just ask your agent for a CMA and rental comps.