., you'd still get hit with S.E. tax if you flip in a wholly-owned LLC.  

No need to worry about hits to your credit scoreWhen a renter pulls his/her own report, it is considered a “soft” inquiry which does not impact the renter’s credit score.

She has a son who lives in the east coast and an ex husband who lives in northern CA. 

You really don't need to be that creative - you just have to be paying attention, call on, and be ready to view properties as they hit the market - yes the same day. i don't mean to imply that it is easy - because it is not - it takes time.

have a local agent set up an automatic search for you, as they will hit the MLS at some point.

I keep getting asked for repair costs, but when I try and explain that its hard to come up with costs without taking a look at the property I get hit with the whole I will get back in contact with you.

My name is Drew, I love in northern AZ, and I have finally made the jump to get into some discussions.

I am not aware of your market as you are way south, I am in Northern NJ.

I live in Northern New Jersey and am talking to a few people about their properties but before I get any further I want to know if I come up with a deal, that I get the contract done properly.

It depends on what the purchase price is and DCSR ratios.The lower the cap rate or income the more has to be put down to hit the lenders requirements.The difference between your fixed interest rate on the loan and the cap rate is the spread.