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

I can tell you that I would never invest in a deal unless the lead investor had significant skin in the game.

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.

If someone could point me to some beginners reading materials, and possibly recommend a strategy to get some skin in the game (i.e. how to get a JV money partner) I would be very grateful! 

You can negotiate with the seller to do cash for keys because "TECHNICALLY" you are purchasing the property with all assets and things attached to it, including tenants.

Your appraisal report will include a separate rental comp/market rent rate, etc, report.