Those shows that make flipping look easy give a false sense. Right now the market isn't quite right for investment property. Sometimes you can find decent prices from contractors but you're better off doing it yourself.
The other thing is that you have to develop an equation for you. I have one that I use (of course I can't share that info with you)
If you do that right, you'll make money on the front end as well as the back end..
Do your homework, be prepared and take some classes; just know that no matter what you do, there is always going to be a surprise or two that you hadn't planned on.