Is this a normal start or am I making a big mess?

Greetings-Costs vary but you might consider $15-30 per square foot.

I don't know about the cost of asbestos removal, but I had lead paint removed from the exterior of a 1200 square foot house: $20K for removal and repainting 15-16 years ago.

Down to earth, normal talk, no "salesy" approach most other communities were doing.

Do what you'd normally do for a new tenant. 

One banker told us that normally those investment loans are for 15-20 year term and 6.5% - 8.5% interest rate.i recently talked to a big developer and told me that the first 1-4 deals i make them with hard money lenders or equity lenders, that in a year i can refinance with a bank and pay them back their loan. 

A scratch here or there from having you move the furniture is pretty much normal wear and tear if you are careful, don't let them BS you. 

Most of the meetups we find are normally based in LA so just looking for anything closer. 

Is it normal for banks to lend to us based on just our W2 incomes?

The analysis will normally suggest the proper tax filing.Best of luck!