Im hoping to network with like minded people and make these intentions reality. 

We've done some improvements, but I could definitely sink $50K into a pool and another $20k into a new kitchen to help the value.

This could (read WILL) sink your investment. you need to account for management costs, maintenance, Capital Expenditures, etc.

When cleaning the cabinet below the sink and removing the liner paper, we found two moldy boards below the paper and a big hole below the two boards (See pictures below).

Your agent might be wrong, or they might be right and are informing of the reality of your market. 

This was a seller in need of reality and she respected my transparency so she sold her house to me.

And in reality I could scrounge up the 9 grand for a down payment but I really don’t wanna do that just because the 30g for my first rental was a hard hit and im just trying to save my money now.

The reality with the syndication model is that it is somewhat complicated by nature (from A - Z), and you need to be hands-on unless you have great partners to help you along the way. 

But,  after sinking slowly over 5 years appx $150k into the house,  it appraised in 2017 at $890k!

In reality, if it hasn't sold, it's above market value.