I do plan to use a management company eventually, I budgeted for it in my analysis, but I really need to self manage first so I know what questions to ask later on. 

If you're going to do this for the long-term, it's worth talking to a real estate lawyer and spending a few bucks to get it done properly until you know the procedure.   

Hey @Caleb Bryant, I like that you offered to somehow try to bring value to any seasoned investor, potentially willing to spend time with you first, and not focusing on your needs as the primary goal.

How much would you realistically expect a newbie to spend on marketing per month?

And before you even spend a dollar on that - you need to figure out your exit strategy.

The only way to evaluate is to look at what has traded in the area, discount the rehab work, and also discount for the fact that you will need to spend time renting the units out.  

My margin here after selling/holding costs is roughly ~200k, of which I expect to spend 60k on renovations excluding the window replacement. 

If it costs 15-20k to fix it up how we want and without spending my own capital, my thought is to rent it for a year cheap at 1250 per month...as is and use that cash a year from now to dump into the home after my tenant pays for it. ;)So here's my question; if we rent it out, we have a 24 foot above ground pool and Jacuzzi in the backyard.

That was a big chunk of our savings and my wife wasn't very happy with me spending it.

We want to put in a concrete patio to cover part of yard but need ideas for rest of yard.Can Anyone recommend ideas with our $2000 budget, pictures of your projects would be appreciated!