If so, Id recommend shopping with at least 3 lenders/brokers with at least one of them being a broker (brokers typically have better rates).

You need time to get your feet wet - and doing it on a small scale is WAY safer than getting into a 6 figure renovation.Flips are for one time cash, and rentals are for long term cash-flow.  

We do have a couple engineers in our program, but the majority come from all walks of life – home builders, software engineers, dentists, fix n flippers, home wholesalers, real estate agents, shop owners… to name a few.

The property listing function is really strong, a one stop shop. 

Hi Melvin,Origination charges = 0 [Covered completely with lender credits]Services you cannot shop for = 2725 [This is the VA funding Fee]Services you can shop for AKA title work = 1723Total Loan Costs A+B+C = 4448Taxes and government fees = 3279 & G Prepaids and initial Escrow at closing = 10007Total cost including escrow = 14455

Any advice for shopping for lenders is much appreciated!

I've spent a lot of time dining and shopping there. 

I also have experience with retail, both my wife and I started and used to run a clothing shop while we both were busy (me with my company and she with a corporate job), for around 5 years before we decided to sell it.

The trouble I am having is there is no comps to look at in the immediate area, so I just took some comps that were miles away up further north, and subtracted a little bit since the area was located near more desirable restaurants and shopping. 

Its very risky in this market that we just came out of the "highest" in history of property inflation due to mostly the covid/pandemic.I think the other flip side is trying to use the equity to buy more properties so in most cases letting the property appreciate or doing renovations is the safer way to get the equity up without essentially borrowing your own money back in 5 years.