I’m a simple man: i have a job that will transfer me based on performance, however I will find another place to be a 1099 easily... 

I can not think of any instances (well, except for if you are on the unwilling receiving end of an eminent domain claim I guess) where improvements to the immediate surrounding of your Investments hurts overall returns. 

A vacant single family teaches you processes: buying an investment property, assessing and performing whatever fixup needs to be done, marketing to get it rented, collecting applications, the legalities of your state's tenant/landlord laws.It's true that when it's vacant, it's 100% vacant, but as you learn how to be a landlord, it won't be vacant often and then it's 100% occupied.

And, my partner is out of state and will be doing nothing but supplying funds and obviously giving the ok on any purchase/expenses/improvements, etc. 

My options are to either get financing at 20% down, or pay cash and do the rehab to get higher appraisal and then finance at after-improved value.

I'm new and hoping g to find others who are interested or if there are some solid performing notes I can invest in with my Roth to begin taking some action.

I'm thinking that maybe the house shifted a bit as part of the move and that there are no real issues with the house.I'm trying to get a contractor to check out the property and let us know if there are any significant issues they can see, but from my understanding, even getting structural engineers to check out the property would require significant time and resources to perform a full evaluation.

These things suck but tomorrow is another day . these trials  are valuable learning tools and every obstacle in the path can lead to a better understanding and improves your skills .  

Let the viewers decide what works, and you dont have to spend a lot either. see sample below.Run 1 ad for a week,Run 2 ads (copy 1 and a new ad copy 2)Run 2 ads (take and use best performing ad copy and run it in conjunction with a new ad)Run Highest performing ad only.hope that helps!

In fact, if the math is done right and it's cashflowing real estate you are  buying, your DTI should improve with each acquisition.