And or there any virtual mentors on this site?

If both items look to thought out and they are willing to hire a contractor and get a permit, I would consider paying for the materials while they pay for the labor.  

First education, a CPCU or CIC is preferred in hiring by any insurer, and should be preferred by you.

.$1400 is definitely doableI wouldn't hire property manager- just post it on military by owner and ahrn.com and your vacany rate will be low.

Welcome to BiggerPockets, @Kevin McElhaney.Are you planning on doing the work yourself, or are you hiring it out? 

Also I plan on becoming an agent in the future because when I get a handle on flipping, I can keep that commission instead of paying that realtor I would need to hire to sell that flip, so it makes sense in the long run. 

If the PM has horrible communication timelines and abilities while he is trying to get my business, I can only imagine how much worse it would be when I actually hire him to do the job.

What I don't know I will research, and what I can't do I will hire an expert.   

You must be able to get carpet really REALLY inexpensively (virtually free for carpet and install), to go thru a whole rehab and then finish with carpet.

Hire an engineer to help you draft specifications and a create a solid contract that dictates pay apps.