We are already over $5000 in repairs to plumber & drywall contractors (and $200 to an electrician to flip a breaker on a Saturday because she was afraid the whole house would burn down due to the water-logged foyer light...and so turned off the Master breaker instead of just isolating the light) and now she's saying she doesn't want carpet reinstalled in the basement because it might get wet & moldy and "affect her boys & dogs".

I would have to fix it up a little (dog chewed up my baseboard) and probably replace the carpet.  

Again, it takes time going to a property, inspecting the property and then determine renovation estimates.You could start off by hooking up with a local investor and bird dog for them.

hello well we are in need of some help/advice. we are newly wed and have three kids and two dogs. we have a steady income that is comfortable (military which means STABLE). we have been living in the same place for four years. but now we need to move but a 6 1/2 year old eviction is keeping us from finding a landlord who will rent to us, is any one out there who can help?

Like taking on anything new, I think you have to put your nose to the grindstone, be dogged, absorb as much as you can, and hopefully make only minor mistakes.  

My neighbors have extended family, dogs, probably illegal additions, minimal yard work etc.  

On my rehabs I hire the trade contractors directly, there is less risk because if i mess up then i just have to repay/negotiate with that sub on the work, if there is a general contractor in the mix then im paying the sub to redo the work plus the general's profit overhead, again.I make up a simple scope of work, with line items for each general scope ( example: painting whole house scrape prime plus 2 coats, all drywall work for bedroom #1, all electrical for kitchen, etc,) they dont have to be extremely detailed, but enough detail to allow you to pay the contractor in regularly billings for percentages of work completed per scope and actually be able to explain to your boss ( i always say i have a boss just to end that discussion, be it my wife or my dog or whatever).I usually have a simple paragraph stating the exact types of materials I want used and reference that all work must be in accordance to the latest applicable IRC.

I have heard of this great idea of using the mailman as a bird-dog.

I politely informed her, that it was in my best interest to not work with her, and instead of apologizing for her rude behavior, she agreed, and hung up the phone.6.

You will need marketing materials along with a dog and pony show.