When I was growing my first real estate portfolio of small MF properties, I kept a list of non-pressing items that needed to be addressed at the properties.

Not just a real estate investment, but an investment into my marriage.

This bill was brought on behalf of the Maryland Real Estate Commission.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

Though, there is no real checklist on what they are looking for or what the standards are.

Even then if they don't know anything about real estate, that might not help much.

I am looking to expand my network of investors and real estate agents in the Charlotte area. 

Like the other posters have mentioned the credit score / credit report is likely an issue - with what you describe there certainly seems to be some stuff missing for it to be that low - but on the flip side, it could be a situation where professional credit repair could make a relatively quick big improvement.

In my limited experience, they add no real value to the process, and like you said, don't really know costs, and while ARV is fairly easy to determine, they are always aggressive on those, too.So, how do you not get taken to the cleaner?  

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?