This works out well as it gives you, the buyer, time to improve the property (force appreciation) via physical improvements and/or improving the management. 

Well, the husband made 90% of the income of the household, but the custody situation and negative impact by a divorce are just an unknown.

No doubt..100% equity in a cashflow plan backed by physical structures or assets is hard to beat.  

I don't even use a physical application anymore and the screening company I used previously required that I pay and then I collected a fee from the tenant.

Most newer folks in the investment space I have encountered what immediate results so they can quit their jobs as soon as possible - they think real estate is like a money vending machine, rather than a physical asset to invest in and let your money grow over the next 15+ years.

We use our realtor partners for deal flow (opportunities), local market dynamics (color on our comp analysis) and as our physical presence during rehab.

I think the coming play will be more so about buying equity than physically building it. 

I would like to pass on a little bit of useful information for anybody thinking of converting their permit over to owner-builder. 1 - You will not be able to sell the property for a minimum of 365 days from the date of issuing of the CO. 2 - The property must be for the owner's own use and occupancy and not for sale or lease which means you will not be able to rent it out. 3 - The owner-builder must ensure that all employees working on the project have the required licenses.4 - The owner-builder must provide worker's compensation as required by Florida law.5 - To apply for the owner builder permit, you must physical visit the building department.There are others requirements and conditions, however these are the main items.

If your handy and physically hard working, I'd get a summer/break job in the trades and learn a few things while saving up money. 

Hello Aj, I would suggest that you physically check out the area and speak with some people who live there.