Or does the requirement go away as you build a reputation with the bank? 

Lease to own usually carried a negative ...some owners were in it just for the down payment....got a bad reputation in the past...

It’s small square footage but encompasses a lot (kitchen, bath, flooring, painting, windows) does anyone know of a reputable GC in the Rochester NY area?

An investor can ask around about that provider's reputation. 

You have to get yourself into the right rooms and websites, podcasts, conferences, etc, but beyond that you need to develop a solid reputation and get out there and talk to people. 

It's not good for your reputation and it's not good business. 

Even if you get a highly-reputable outfit that will send well-above-average guys, you can expect to be charged substantial money for a great, labor-intensive refinishing job on an old floor that approximates the look of a new wood floor.I don't know what you want your spec rehab to look like.

What insurance companies in Ontario/Canada have good reputation for covering rental properties, such as reasonable price, and easy to make a claim?

@Eli M. as long as it's a reputably company it's fine...just do a little research.

If it's still hard to find reputable tenants to rent out the property because it's in a bad area, then it's going to be a risk tolerance question.A potential upside would be that A home could increase rent/value if the area continues to gain popularity and desirability.