You could have $1,000,000 between you and your dad but money is only one piece of REI.

It is incredibly hard to make money bidding online.

Those who have done this multiple times already have thought of the gotchas and will likely save you money even if their hourly is significantly higher.  

Great investment getting ahead of the college housing expenses and putting the equivalent rent money to work..If the property is generating income it can be classified as a 'second home.'

However, if it needs that much work you are probably better off going with a hard money loan and then doing a rate & term refi once rehabbed.

I've recently been having a lot of extra free time and decided to invest all of it into learning more about real estate and investments in real estate.

It is easier to budget things if the money is separated.

Taking the bookings directly can net you more money, take power away from the platforms to issue refunds, and protect you from other platform issues.Once you are set up with the site I recommend making a new forum post about ideas how to increase your conversions. 

-fork over money I dont really have and remedy the knob and tube?

I was just setting money aside.