Hindsight Critique•Continue to build relationships to increase deal flow•Property manager (Mercer Hughes) is critical to completing renovations and quick tenant placement•Continue to build relationships with private lenders and personal investors•Have cash available to make quick competitive offersDid you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

But again, dedicated crews drive reno costs down.If you can connect with a flipper in your area (quick out your local REIG) and ask to come along when they scope out a job, you will get more from one or two trips than from a dozen books. 

A quick search shows that Ohio is a Caveat Emptor state with only 1 exception, latent defects.

The cash flow improves quickly, but the cash flow is so negative on retail purchases that it will take years to reach cash neutral.  

My goal is NOT to grow as large and as quick as possible, but rather to grow slowly and deliberately - The Small But Mighty Investor is kinda the roadmap!

This could help accelerate how quickly you can payoff your first mortgage while keeping the interest you pay on your heloc at a minimum. 

My plan is to possibly use it before the spring on a down payment, but then quickly pay it off (I'll have enough for 20% DP in spring but am trying to beat the buyer rush for that time of year).

If they did, they would be out of business very quickly.  

the economy is super promising and the future looks bright as far as appreciation goes.

I bought a condo with the intentions of running an Airbnb and it was quickly shut down however I ended up turning it into a corporate rental.