I recently came across a property through an agent with attractive numbers for a house flip.

So back to being a real estate investor: the only way to be one is to buy a property and create value out of it, whether through finding a below market value house and selling for a profit, or renting and creating cash flow.  

This is the heart of the reason housing isn't mroe affordable, that landlords bear these types of costs every day.You could probably find cheaper labor, especially to haul away the junk, but not easily as an out of state investor. 

Based on an inspection report on one of the deals I worked on last year, I was able to negotiate over $15k of credits and repairs for a $200k house using a $400 inspection report for one of my clients.

It's best to have a house manager.

I had some success in doing a house hack short term rental with my first property and wanted to continue growing my portfolio.

Purchase price: $341,000 Cash invested: $136,000 Sale price: $519,000 A house that I bought, renovated, and sold.

Would like confirmation on that though.For Solara, there seems to be no restrictions but a lot of houses for sale. 

By the time it was all over, the court fees, attorney fees ate up the entire EMD and then some --- this seller never intended to sell the house. 

Attend local builder associations or networking events, and focus on small contractors or businesses without in-house permit expertise.Highlight how you save time and ensure compliance—it’s a big value-add.