So, I borrowed $15k from my roommate for earnest money to secure the property, advanced another $15k or so from my credit cards to cover points and closing costs, and advanced another $20k buffer (using 0% interest promotions on the cards -- I also had perfect credit), and bought it and celebrated.I had a contractor lined up that was a referral by my realtor, who had sold me my own home.

If the property is cash flowing now, and you didn't use any of  your own money to buy it, and down the road you can sell it for at least enough to cover the debt, you win. 

Research the correct way ( I believe putting in what amounts to an escrow account) and include a letter with your June rent payment explaining that per PA code XX you’re withholding $yy this month to cover the costs of non functioning systems that were included in the house.

Work for a promotion or put in some over-time. 

@Viktor Chornobay's list covers many of the common markets we have come across.

I showed @David Krulacvia PM  a property that underwent what I will nickname "the trifecta" - it had been sold by the TCB, then the mortgage foreclosed (on the buyer at TCB), then the school district had the property sold at sheriff sale to cover unpaid school taxes (the lender's lien was no longer in effect because of the mortgage foreclosure sheriff sale, and lender did not cover the school taxes to prevent that sale).

In this case, it doesn’t sound like you can prove that the tenant caused the damage, so it’s going to be on the owner to cover the cost of the repair. 

There are also signs of a cover up at the base of the foundation because there are new concrete blocks there to hide the foundation and a temporary drain placed nearby to prevent water from reaching the foundation.

So the thing you need to worry about is, if the property is making enough to compensate you for the risk taken, that is it covers the debt payment and some return on your capital. 

Now the house sits for three months and now Im covering the mortgage (at 143,000 for a VA mortgage your propably sitting $800 with taxes) which equates to $2400 leaving me with zero profit.