Hey James - Happy to connect and take a deeper dive into this.

I am looking to connect with real estate investors and other real estate enthusiasts in the area.

Not sure where we should connect though.

I wouldn't even consider this scenario if you have no business managing a flip, and you have never done renovation projects, as that is an arena where you need to have built experience and connections to just be OK.Let's consider that you decide to save just enough ($75k) and grab a $300k single-family rental with 20% cash down (plus closing costs) and you just rent it out (not owner-occupied) and you have limited reserves.  

I think you are right on both your assumptions  and they both should be an easy fix.   

Usually always doing maintenance or thinking about what needs to be done.If you want to run a profitable business you look for the best location that provides the best return (cashflow/appreciation) for you, depth of teams (cleaners/maintenance) and it is easy to setup systems so you can grow and scale. 

Message me and let's connect!

Unfortunately, a good mentor isn't always easy to find.Think about it.

It's best to use the same paint brand/color/sheen as much as possible so you can keep leftover for touchup.Light fixtures: Make sure they have easy-to-replace bulbs and are bright enough for the space.

Happy to connect and share what we are doing to get our units rented.