For the ones which can be fixed up, will they deed it over to us for a few thousand?

See about a thousand similar posts on BP, or search my name and "owner financing", for the rest of the advice.As for your underlying financing issues (yes, plural)... 

This will save you the funds to actually purchase the property, and only provide the funds to renovate, saving you 10s or 100s thousands, whichever. 

There are people around here who will happily tell you things you couldn't pick up by yourself in a dozen years that can make you hundreds of thousands of dollars over time.

Needless to say, working with this contractor has ruined my life in so many ways and it looks like he will walk away from it all scott free.

I save thousands of dollars on repair bills before they become a costly repair item.

@Diego HernandezIt’s just a business some make millions, thousand or nothing.

But maybe you'll get luck and all this headache will earn you a few thousand more...this time.Another thing to consider: if these tenants are willing to pay $100 - $200 a month in late fees, that may be an indication the property is renting below market.

Most people can easily save hundreds, if not thousands, per month by getting serious about their personal consumption spending (everything from phone bills to car expenses to food to subscription services).

Buying your first rental in a D neighborhood thousands of miles away.