Very unfortunate as continue to see people who are providing others with money and not understanding until its too late that their money was never secured and was gone the moment they wired those funds

You're definitely in the right place to learn and connect with people. 

As those prices fluctuate, there is a builders somewhere putting his feet up waiting to see a market turn more active because the last thing he wants to do is start paying crews to build houses, that could drop in value while he's halfway through the build process and losing equity halfway into the project.

Quote from @Aaron Wolman: General question, I am turning over my first rental and I got the charges from my contractor on damage done and I want to see peoples opinion. 

They sell you a package to enter and then find you people to stay and never paid you back!

I have known and worked with Matt for years.I have attended his training and hired him as a consultant.He is hands down the best at what he does.I have personally raised over $50 million for my hard money lending company.I am grateful for a lot of people who helping me with this success and Matt is at or near the top of that list.

Now some people may argue higher interest rates are good, as it drives out competition on new acquisitions.

I understand different people have different risk profiles.

People coming into town to visit family, reunions, weddings or professionals on contracts.All that to say, don't count yourself out.

a lot of people will poo poo this, but I also live in a market where cash flow is low, property taxes are high and properties are expensive (which is a relative term).