The deals are there, you just have to do your homework and watch the housing market for the area you want to do business in. 

Which color would you recommend for rental units for following.1) kitchen cabinets2) luxury vinyl flooring color3) paint color walls, ceiling etclastly, would vinyl click and groove plank flooring be ok in washroom too or you recommend tiles?

Reason I ask about doing a contingent offer and walking with a GC after in contract is because often, time is everything, and it seems like we won't always have that luxury before entering contract.

What you are doing is like the gas fight in Zoolander:https://www.youtube.com/watch?

These small luxury modern homes are all within a 10 minute walk to downtown. 

Meanwhile I had been living out of state and not watching the progress on a daily basis, come to find out a TON of little details got left unfinished or ignored and all the initial hype of the listing was received with feedback of half *** work.

They can be great investments, but watch out for HOA fees.

I get to watch the project from start to finish, and thats pretty exciting. it hasn't started yet.

Talking San Fran watch this!

Have been watching podcasts and BP forums to see if it's possible for me to purchase or invest in property while I house-hack it.