I make a list of every possible thing I need to include in a Rehab and develop a ruff Rehab cost (I add an additional 20% just in case).  

I'd check that out for sure, it includes many creative ways to finance deals!

We currently collect the rent and maintain the property now including all repair and upkeep.

Most homes I'm finding, including in general a 20k rehab, are around 65K.  

Tough market for cash slow, but appreciation good in certain towns including mine---high costs, though.

Experience, accessibility of support, protecting your personal data, how long a firm has been in business, etc. are things you will want to include in your mix.

Make sure you get a good inspection, including termite inspection!  

I'm not an anti-stock market guy by any means, but I recognize that attractive long-term returns in equities will include a lot of volatility along the way. 

Other websites including Yelp and even their facebook page have enough negative reviews to have me cautious about them.

Because Saturday and Sunday only amounted to two days, and you would have no business-related activities on these days, the fact that you had to stay until/through Monday to finish the seminar, still means that majority of the time there was spent on deductible activities - thus whole trip, including air and hotel is deductible.