The experience with already doing a rehab is absolutely invaluable.I am eager to hear what you find and how it turns out.Yes, finding and keeping the best contractors is a challenge, but as you build your stable of skilled technicians, it gets easier.

Or are you needing someone that can do multi- skills in construction and has a team of people that can complete different takes?

A great skill to acquire is finding properties off market and convincing owners to carry the note for you.

I don’t have the money to purchase but I have the skills to upgrade the house.

I am simultaneously a skilled RE and business financing/loan broker, helping to fund the plans I develop with and for clients. 

The syndicator is responsible for having the knowledge and skills to do all of the hard work.

And you have a whole industry selling courses about everything you need to learn before you are ready LOL.Common sense, emotional inteligence and pople skills will go a long way.

I'm very new to the investor game, so my goal with the first purchase is:A place that my partner and I would want to live in for 1-3+ yearsCap Rate of 3-4% minimumCash flow as close to $100/a door as possibleHave cash leftover to (A) start the slush fund for this property, ~$5-10k and (B) less vital: start building the pot for Property #2 within the next 2 years Note: I am semi risk-averse, not looking to over leverage right out the gateI'm looking for this first purchase to be a base hit, not a home run, as @Brandon Turner says.Property 1:DuplexPurchase Price $275,000Rental Income: $1000/unit Location: North Side of town (Northern Barton Heights), up and coming.

As Scott mentioned, it is vitally important to run your own numbers -- what the seller tells you sometimes qualifies for a Pulitzer Prize in Fiction.I forget how many times BP lets you use the calculator before you have to become a "Pro" member, but even the first time is a valuable education.

Learn any new skills, RE techniques, creative financing opportunities?