On a refi, you need to get the appraisal ordered and back to figure out your options, especially if it's a cash out refinance. 

Im trying to figure out the cost of rehabbing a gutted house on a property I found that is being sold as "lot for sale."

I've recently learned more about real estate investing and figured I had a good foundation of knowledge.

Can anyone give me advice on figuring out how to secure a loan so I can begin investing in properties and be on my way to gaining financial freedom? 

I figured the joists but the basement slope had me worried.

You'll have to get a survey completed, figure out where your utilities are connected and if they are running under the "vacant lot" and more than likely have to relocate those to the remaining lot with the SFR on it. 

I demo'd most of the different platforms and my objective was to pick the one that I could figure out how to use without any training. 

But, when I try to compute what real figures look like, each have been negative or bad deals. 

The meeting minutes are sometimes a good source of information to figure out the types of personalities you have on the board before you meet them.You are then very likely to have to go to the next board meeting. 

Probably should talk to a local RE attorney, you should be able to get a free consultation and figure out what you need to know.