I should have clarified that my intention is to use the renovation budget for major fixes (structural, roofs, exterior projects, plumbing/electric) and then I was planning on doing the smaller projects that I can handle (flooring, painting, kitchen update, tiling/backsplashes, etc.) over time.  

what does being a member of BP have to do with the scenario.. the vast majority of BP members are just starting out and don't know what they don't know.my folks buy from wholesalers I personally don't..  

-- Getting too old to Army Crawl under houses all day long for a living with never ending aching bones and muscles.

Overall, anyone who can point me in a positive direction for self-education, major help.  

That is a MAJOR danger in RE investing.  

The majority realize it's extremely difficult regurgitating bad deals to investors who have already passed on them at a lower price point.

Vast majority of people don't have their realtor license.

A major struggle in the Escrow side is that a good portion of DBO escrow companies are owned by an Escrow professional who worked up to the ownership position.

It currently rents for $850, which is under market for this neighborhood (market is probably $950).With taxes, insurance, debt service, management expenses, 10% for maintenance, 10% for capital expenditures, and 10% figured in for vacancy, I'm calculating a current cash flow of $90 / month based on the $850 rent.I know that's not stellar, but here's why I like it:The neighborhood is one of those neighborhoods I really believe in -- it is minutes to downtown, and central to major redevelopment and transit projects in my city (Atlanta), and it may just be one of these hot neighborhoods that becomes one of the great places to live.Right now, this is the cheapest on-market property in the neighborhood -- the closest comps are in the 85-95K range, and several flips (not comps, but nicer houses on the same block) have sold in the $200K range in the past month.

Never losing money can make people over confident and set them up for a major disaster.