Wanna be flipper considering buying and holding. Need insight.

[William Fifield]

Hi guys,

I am new to REI and have LOVED the idea of flipping since I was in my 20s (56, now). I am looking to buy my first flip deal. I like it because I love seeing something in distress come back for a second life. It makes neighborhoods better and gives the people who buy them a freshly repaired and awesome home. However, the more I read and listen and talk to people about REI, the more I hear about buying and holding and making money via rentals. And I can see how it accomplishes the same goal, making a distressed property nice again and giving people a great place to live. But it seems like a really long-term way to build wealth. Am I right?