Plus, Zillow, Rentler and the other real estate platforms tend to have all sorts of unnecessary hoops to jump through for landlords, and I find a lot of their design very un-intuitive (I remember spending waaayyy too much time just trying to figure out simple things in Rentler).  ...why can't they make it easier?

They typically charge 1% of the financed amount but should be able to find a lender to suit your needs and hopefully avoid situations where financing falls through at the last minute.

I’ve found success by focusing on emerging neighborhoods, avoiding flood-prone areas, and exploring short- or mid-term rentals to tap into the steady stream of tourists and business travelers.Good luck!

The good people here at BP have realized something that it seems you are trying to avoid or circumvent.

These properties can often be acquired through creative financing methods like:Seller Financing: Negotiate flexible terms with motivated sellers who want to avoid traditional bank processes.Lease Options/Subject-To Financing: Take over a seller’s mortgage without assuming full responsibility, especially for properties needing renovation.Creative Terms: Adjust terms to fit market conditions, like offering lower down payments or longer payoff periods.Staying connected with investors and tailoring deals to current conditions can help you secure opportunities even in challenging markets.

But the reason for a living trust is to avoid probate.

It might help you avoid penalties if the IRS goes after you later.You can claim the labor expenses even without 1099s, but you will technically be in non-compliance.

However, fees can be high, including asset-based and transaction charges, and strict IRS rules require careful management to avoid penalties.

Many challenges can be avoided if you work with someone that can give you professional guidance in the market you choose.

If you are looking to fix and flip, just make sure you look for a 12 month term, non-dutch interest on the rehab funds (this means you do not pay interest on the rehab money until you use it), no prepayment penalty, and avoid any lenders that escrow your payments at closing.