Now, I attempted to increase value by adding a whole new finished basement w/o blowing up the budget - the house appraised for $150K due to the full bath and basement added.

Until you can double your budget, you're better off staying in Columbus or nearby - at least you'll know the neighborhoods there. 

The part is not on the truck, so he has to visit the hardware store (and stand in a socially distanced line for 30 minutes while waiting to get in), then drive back to the property to install it. 

Always budget for 10% more than your rehab estimate.

But you can’t possibly bring in a specialist for every aspect of home renovations and still stay under budget right?

Still have to budget for roof, appliances, hot water heater, hvac, bath and kitchen remodel,etc.

Nicely designed architect renovations (even done on a limited budget) typically sell at a premium in nyc vs the typical HGTV flip reno.

My take on it, it's best to overestimate for necessary or foreseeable costs then under budget just to make a deal work. 

Have 7-12k reserve budget for repairs/updates at the moment. 

You will hear on some of the podcasts investors that wanted to new trucks; therefore, they purchased a rental that would bring in that amount to cover their note, then but that rental and use the returns to pay for their expenses.