I wouldn;t consider myself a "Cashflow investor" however, again given that it's my first deal, I'd like a little cashflow padding for security in case any unexpected expenses arise.

The comps looked solid, the inspection report came back clean enough, and I budgeted six weeks for the whole turnaround.Then reality showed up.First, a hidden plumbing issue added three weeks.Then, a permit approval got delayed… twice.Finally, the contractor I trusted brought in a sub who didn’t finish the work properly, which meant tearing part of it back out and starting over.What was supposed to be a six-week project turned into nearly five months.But here’s the takeaway: it forced me to slow down and build better systems — for vetting contractors, planning timelines, and padding budgets for “unknown unknowns.”

Nobody can predict the future but this property is launch pad.

Finding ethical and legal shortcuts and loopholes to pad processes for efficency is the name of my game.

Pumping water out is obviously first2.) removing furniture3.) pulling up carpets and pad, dispose.  4.)

Totally agree that in 2025, it’s less about big promises and more about tight operations and buying right.I’m still seeing solid cash flow when:✅ You buy at a discount (70–80 cents on the dollar)✅ There’s clear value-add upside✅ You underwrite with realistic rent projections and pad your expensesSelf-managing or having a great team also makes a huge difference.

And unless you trust him 100%, you’ll still want to work out how to handle payments for materials and subs that will be required in advance of draws (my partner had a situation once where his JV contractor had subs pad their invoices and then took a kick-back).  

.), as well as the roads, concrete pads, fencing, and similar improvements.

Examples include:Rate Buydowns – Use the credit to permanently lower your interest rate or lock in a multi-year buydown, improving cash flow immediately.Revenue-Critical Repairs – Fund upgrades that directly impact booking rates and occupancy for STRs (hot tub, furniture, curb appeal).Preserve Cash Reserves – Cover closing costs with the concession so your capital stays in your pocket for emergencies or expansion.The Bad: Illusion of a Better Deal - A $20,000 concession feels good—until you realize the seller simply padded the purchase price to make it happen.

Have you thought about pad split?