However, the people moving to the community without ties are teachers (we had a bunch retire these last few years), an attorney, medical professional, mechanic, manager of assisted living facility, restaurant owner, carpenter, etc. on top of those other professions. 

As a hobby I like to build and flip furniture, but always wanted to learn more carpentry skills to flip homes.

Is there any way to try and make a deal with the bank pre auction?

I just finished speaking with a loan officer in Birmingham, AL  for a pre approval letter and was told they no longer offered FHA 203k loans.

., former employer 401k) to a solo 401k are not reported on Form 5498, but rather on Form 5500-EZ, but only if the air market value of the solo 401k exceeds $250K as of the end of the plan year (generally 12/31);When funds are rolled over or transferred from an IRA or 401k to a self-directed IRA, the amount deposited into the self-directed IRA is reported on Form 5498 by the receiving self-directed IRA custodian by May of the year following the rollover/transfer.Rollovers (provided the 60 day rollover window is satisfied) from an IRA to a Solo 401k or self-directed IRA are reported on lines 15a and 15b of Form 1040;Pre-tax IRA contributions on reported on line 32 of Form 1040;Pre-tax solo 401k contributions are reported on line 28 of Form 1040;Roth solo 401k funds are subject to RMDs;A Roth 401k may be transferred to a Roth IRA (Note that from a planning perspective, it may be advantageous to transfer Roth Solo 401k funds to a Roth IRA before turning age 70 ½ in order to escape the Roth RMD requirement applicable to Roth 401k contributions including Roth Solo 401k contributions and earnings.)

You have to be good at:Marketing to find deals, which usually takes money.Knowing how to run comps accurately, which requires MLS access, skill and experience.Knowing how to estimate construction costs accurately - which is a skill that takes a lot of learning.Knowing how to negotiate with sellers.

If thats the case I'd be grateful for any helpful links.What are the most important professionals I should keep in contact with for apartment maintenance?

They often lack the experience, know how and skills that are necessary for a professional transaction.

Go to where cash buyers work....at the courthouse steps buying at foreclosure auctions.If you see a guy bid on and/or buy more than one property,they are or work for cash buyers with lots of investment cash or lines of credit.Walk up to them after the auction and compliment them on their property purchases and offer to bring them more just like it before they get to the auctions.Ask for their criteria (sizes,locations,ages,numbers of bedrooms,condition,etc).Promise to follow up with them ASAP with a property they might like to inspect and purchase.Go to every courthouse you can get to in a few hours driving and you could easily create a list of 30 to 40 real professional cash buyers who act fact and know what they're doing to be profitable in this business.

I am looking to trade my skills as a handy man/ ASE certified mechanic for a few hours a week in investing knowledge.