We currently live in a 3br/2ba house that could use a decent reno (50kish).  

Red Deer is a decent place to be.

If this is in a complex by the country club, there are a couple of complexes near by and each one are decent complexes, but they are competing now with newly built ones and a future development that will add about 200 apartments.

In addition, the overwhelming majority of real estate agents I've met couldn't put together a decent scope of work if their lives depended on it, and can't reliably manage to wipe themselves after every trip to the crapper, let alone a residential renovation.Way too many men in this country pretend to know all about residential construction, maintenance, and renovation.

They will be excited to let you know what kind of products they lend with, how aggressive their bank is, etc. 

For someone who just stayed in an Airbnb with terrible wifi, I would spend a little bit of money to make it decent.

However, if you are content with a small portfolio where you will still have decent cash flow, have a much "safer" investment, and generally have less stress, cash is your best friend.3.

@James R Dean if you have a decent credit profile could get you gapped on the down with no out of pocket (the down will cost more than the secured portion obviously).DM me and I'll connect you.

I want it to be in decent condition when I purchase.

Not only do you get decent returns, you are also an owner of the property which means you get tax benefits from the depreciation which will offset the taxes on cash flow.