In the long run, it is the eye for the deal and your business sense that will make you the most money not being the repair man.  

But none of those Lenders said to me: "We'll lend you $100k, but because we're not checking your credentials, and we're giving you educational materials, and a small list of people who may or may not be interested in buying something off you one day, we'll put on our books that we loaned you $140k, and start charging you a higher-than-normal interest on the whole amount; and don't even think about not paying it all back, because we'll foreclose on whatever you bought with that $100k so quick it'll make your eyes water, and still chase you for the rest".

Bring your GC with you if you have one or the person whose going to be doing the work to eye things up. 

Good catch, I have actually had my eye on that property as well and was thinking of pinging the seller and asking for a showing.

You will run into these as a landlord and you can save a lot of $ if you can handle it yourself without jobbing it out. 4b) If you're good at sourcing fixer-uppers, while you're still renting but getting ready to move on, keep an eye out for a beaten-up multi-family, and take it down with an owner-occupied 203k loan - purchase and renovation funds in one mortgage, with a tiny 3.5% down payment.

But you do have to go into it with both eyes wide open. 

Maybe later on down the road, the contractor you have been working with will become trustworthy in your eyes and you could then look into a partnership like you describe. 

get to walking and talking to people . the deal will come read study know your area make yourself available keep eyes open for sellers and buyers alike. remember a seller was once a buyer. i'm starting out too i'm always talking business. i just got a private lender from an agent i just met it works if you work it .  

The benefit you will gain by hiring a crew to cut the lawn, trim the shrubs is another set of eyes watching your investment to catch any other property negelect or illegal activity by your tenants.  

#1 is a close second it, I think it catches the eye more.