I don't want to spend $100 and have 100 of the properties be ones I have already purchased...

The advice so far I’ve gotten is look at flips in Long Island and New Jersey with your budget.

Accounting, forecast, budgets, actuals, analysis.

If my budget allows a payment of $950/Mo (p&i), I can afford a $200k home at 4%.  

I plan to continue to live (most of the time) in California and spend a few weeks each year at the property in NV or AZ. 

Right now I have on the following on my radar:$3k (immediate): W/D and hookups$15k (~2 years): 2x heating conversion to natural gas and baseboard heating for 3rd floor$15k (~5 years): House sidingI've budgeted $500/month for capex and am putting it into a savings account.Down the line, once i'm under 80% LTV (5 years w/o appreciation), I'm not certain if I should consider using a HELOC for capex or try to rely on a savings account. 

If the kitchen was just about ready for a fix up and you have a tenant who has lived there five years, then you will need to do some improvements before you can get market rent on the next turn over.This why I spend some time regularly looking at other ads on hotpads or Craigslist just to keep up on what’s out there.

Contractors- I am looking for a reliable contractor who can estimate time and budget precisely, and make things done on time and on budget.

But now I am looking to spend less time working on these projects and more with my family. plumbing, electrical ,carpentry any contactors in North Eastern Pa (scranton area)you are willing to share is appreciated

By letting people know your time frame, budget and that you have approved financing you should have no problem getting offers submitted when good options pop up on the market.