Flipping is a production business.

Excess depreciation could be suspended as a passive loss unless you qualify as a Real Estate Professional (REPS) or materially participate in a Short-Term Rental (STR)—which would allow you to use the additional depreciation to offset W-2 or business income.

It forces me to get real familiar with my business and how my properties are performing.

The key difference, though, was he spent months carefully getting to know the local architecs, reputable builders, and even a couple of niche design firms that specialize in modern builds for mid- to high-end buyers.

I second @Erik Estrada Chase offers great programs for business, multifamily, and conventional loans for commercial properties.

Which is a tax when you do an active business in your IRA but it is essentially the same thing. 

My last remodeling co. was a specialty Design Build firm.

It is important to remember you own real estate in the Poconos and you are choosing to operate a STR business.

Since I'm taking such a cash hit, I asked the sellers agent if they would be able to designate some portion of the sale price ($200k?)

I've been toying with the idea of adding an ISA to my sales business.