I started writing a response to someone who I thought was essentially asking, "How can I sell a house?"

At the same time, I was miserable, my personal life was suffering, I dreaded going into work, and I missed my 12-hour shift schedule where I essentially worked 160 days a year.

The book goes into what you can do to be successful at each "level"  First is think a million, essentially the how and why, learning and crafting the plan to take action.  

I'd suggest looking for a few spreadsheets that include the components you like, and melding those components into a model that is your own.If time is a concern, start with the basics, and add the other elements as needed.

Can anyone enlighten me on why investing in notes is cost effective (my time being a key cost element)?

Pros: tax benefits, safe dividend, cash value, death benefit, as well as ability to borrow essentially from yourself at a lower rate.

Essentially, they teach you to have a mix of installment and revolving credit (i.e. a loan that has an end date vs one that stays open indefinitely) and to keep balances active, but low.

You should be able to get a nice job for $1,000 for the concrete, $800 for the labor and about $500 for lumber and essentials = $2300 and to do the job with wood stairs will not be less. 

In an ideal partnership people bring complementary expertise and consider it their value add to the venture,  however we essentially do the same thing.

However, I think it's best for giving you the rundown on all different types of rehab elements, things to consider for each, and general frameworks of going about rehabbing a property.