SikariLuxe.com has funds set up already accepting investors.

I would say 0-20% can be dedicated to that party.The remaining 50-75% goes to funding partners.

@Richard Snyder I have never heard of them, but sounds like a hedge fund back insurance carrier looking to do everything through automation. 

I am intending to use an FHA loan (or FHA 203K loan depending on the nature of the deal) to fund the purchase of either a one or two unit piece of real estate.However, I will be leaving my job soon to pursue an entrepreneurial opportunity.

Ive came to the realIzatIon that I want to learn how to use, fund and afford general contractors to upgrade my properties freeing me up to hunt out other deals vs me working crazy hours at my job plus doing all the work myself which at this stage in my life is not really plausible.

We all have reserve funds to deal with the very issues you are experiencing and when used are then replenished over time through our positive cash flow.

The beauty is allowing one or two tenants pay your bills while you work a job to fund the next one. 

We happen to have caught some solid appreciation and plan to flip it now (using the rent we received from the past year to fund a solid chunk of the renovations). 

I will need to put 25% down for the loan and will need to show 6 months worth of expenses in additional funds but beyond that should I also have $X set aside for the first year's expenses?

i would always choose multiple, and tell them all upfront your one of three upfront and first Bank to fund at the rate I expect gets my business. competition always motivates people.