Gambling is short-term speculative play; that's flipping,  that's Vegas slots, sports betting.

I used to own three rentals in Seattle but after 2012 when the prices got too high I realized that sophisticated buy-and-hold investors invest where the numbers make sense with cash flow, not appreciation (gambling).

I am looking to see if anyone has any suggestions on how to get an accurate number on rehab costs.

This shocking truth opened my eyes to the importance of maintaining an accurate and up-to-date financial statement to secure financing.To navigate the world of real estate financing, it's essential to recognize market preferences and loan-to-value (LTV) restrictions.

Never heard about this company before, but they claim to use raw data from Airbnb, and frankly I found them to be more accurate than Airdna.

Currently working on analyzing leads accurately relative to rental income and interior of property when determining offer price. 

@Amy DenzlerRecommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder, etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

Foreclosures, short sales, and off-market deals can provide these opportunities.Target up-and-coming neighborhoods with increasing home values rather than already hot areas.Research comparable recent sales and get an inspection to accurately estimate the after-repair value (ARV) before making an offer.Follow the 70% rule - the purchase price plus renovations should not exceed 70% of the ARV to leave room for profits after selling costs.Focus renovations on maximizing returns - kitchens, bathrooms, curb appeal rather than over-improving.Hire experienced contractors and have a project manager oversee work to keep things on schedule.Price the renovated home at or just slightly below comparable recent sales to facilitate a quick sale.

These markets are very large in NC (comparable and larger than Fayetteville) providing for great economics as well as a more diverse employment base.Doing a renovation is not as intimidating if you have the right team that can provide you comfort with before-and-after's of other projects they've done, plus accurate $s surrounding those projects.

As of now, HELOC rates typically range from 5% to 7%, but it's essential to check with multiple lenders to get the most accurate and competitive rates.Joshua Christensen - I totally agree with these points as well.