Get bids from a few contractors, and make sure they break out materials and labor (you want to always compare apples to apples)NEVER pay the full amount of the job upfront.

*measure the rooms and start prepping material orders* invite contractors over to bid on items and get them scheduled for as soon as you closeContractors are usually the long pole in scheduling, so getting them in and tentatively contracted is a HUGE step forward.

I am currently reading through the FLIP book which I heard about here and has a lot of information, I am currently getting multiple bids on a number of items for my current project while they are doing title search. 

Also, my understanding as per my attorney, even if you buying at an HOA foreclosure auction where they set the minimum bid lower than the judgment, the buyer is still responsible for the difference....HOA debts stay with property regardless. 

I have only been flipping a few years but there is a TON of competition when bidding.

Would suggest consulting a GC and getting bids for the rehab before proceeding forward.

In San Bernardino county for example they will have probably 500-1000 time shares that are all the same starting bid that you can just skip over. 

Yes, I was thinking of this too as tonight my husband and I agreed that the property we‘ve been trying to get a renovatIon loan isn’t going to work out, and after having her be our long distance realtor (and setting up appraisal inspection and contractor bid appts with the seller’s agent and their tenants) I feel she’s lost interest working with ALL investors despIte the fact that Ive been giving her referrals.

Have you taken any bids from contractors on similar jobs and compared item cost? 

We bid on first multi family with fha and lost and understand buyer was wary of fha backed loan.