Getting financing and hiring contractors is the last research part of the puzzle, finding and evaluating the deals is what makes the business and should be your primary focus7. 

Per my research, I like the challenge of investing in Baltimore city as opposed to county, since wild variation in prices could be advantageous in the flipping business, but I am puzzled by the change of neighborhood perception that occurs within few blocks.Take care,Mario   

But indicators and multiple pieces make up a puzzle.

The financing is kind of the last puzzle piece as if everything else is in line, and your completion equity is solid (LTV) you should be able to find financing.

Either a lot of people had a pile of cash lying around to buy A LOT of properties in quick succession or there's a piece of the financing puzzle I'm missing.

But, of course, financing is a big piece of the puzzle.

The Mayor of Verona was puzzled as they didn't have a snow removal crew. 

I think that may be the puzzle piece I was looking for.Also, thank you for the warm welcome and I will definitely be at the BP meet ups!

@John Chong thank you, this was exactly the clarification that was missing for me to understand the entire puzzle.

This is obviously only a piece of the puzzle.