@Kathy HacmacI don't allow any sort of painting.I've put together my apartments so that all the walls will need is a quick washdown with TSP, hole and crack repair, some touch-up primer (maybe), and another coat of colormatched Glidden Premium to come back to where they were before I rented out the place.The brick duplex that I'm currently renovating was custom-built in 1923 for an heiress of a prominent local family in the historic borough of Munhall, PA, just outside the city limits of Pittsburgh.

Since you don't intend to live there, you'd be looking at likely 25% down and a premium on your interest rate, which will likely kill this deal.

Sweat equity can go a long way when funds are short.

That's my long-term goal, my short-term goal is to acquire 3 properties in the next 2 years, 2 single family houses, and 1 multi-family property. 

So you could start out that way and then maybe not need one.Or you could short sale it, etc.Rehab would be the last ditch effort I would ever consider.Location, condition, etc are all known before you ever buy, so it not like you HAVE to buy it or will get stuck with it.Do your DD, REAL DD, not this electronic nonsense and youll probably be okAnd on $5k, a 15% return is only $750...

I’ll PM you shortly. 

But long story short - make sure you have the cash or access to cash to fund the unexpected.  

The home was abandoned and they tried to short sale several times before.

The short answer is no, flipping is not dead.

Part of it is commercial.  70 of the acres is 20 feet short of frontage needed for a subdivision, but could purchase from a neighbor.