I'm looking for my first flip, and ran across a neighborhood I like with a foreclosure scheduled for February.  Using MLS, I scouted other homes on same street.  I ran across this one and can't determine whether it wa...

MLS pickings are slim.

Raising capital is the key to doing deals but where can one start to look for the money when your circle of influence is starting out slim. 

I have two contractors with a decent bit of experience ready to work on stuff, so at least I'm not completely green, but you're right - very slim pickings.

The margins between the amount owed on the house and conservative ARV are quite slim, especially when you build in contingency, closing costs to buy and sell, holding costs, repairs, etc... it seems you might be luck to break even.

Your lot is pretty slim looking at it from aerial view (38ft front).

I would hate to see you take down a deal like this with such slim numbers and be in a very tough spot in a year or two.

If you have to get a loan to purchase your duplex, then you need to take into consideration the cost of your loan.My suggestion to you is to find a good calculator on BP in the Tools section to help you calculate your costs of going into a deal.Also, if you are looking for duplexes on the internet or through the MLS, the likelihood that it is a good deal is pretty slim.

Slim pickings in my neck of the woods.

The margins are slim this kind of business is about compounding.