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.  

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.

But I bought 3 more houses with the cash and now cash flowing $3000/month vs only $1200/month with that one paid off house.

We are not familiar with any of these markets, nor do we have anyone trustworthy there, or a real estate agent.Our approach would be both rental and house flipping.

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

I have seen this same house that is vacant (all the classic signs) I have located the owner ( I have not reached out to her yet).

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

Hey@Adrian Sopher Is your mom's house in Nashville?

If it does go to probate, hopefully your brothers and you can amicably go the informal route vs formal (I've worked with families in both when buying properties out of probate and informal is FAR easier).Since there's no debt on the house, maybe you could sell with financing or maybe you could even buy out your brothers with financing -- that way you maintain ownership and just pay them a monthly amount.

IE  someone sold there house in Minneapolis to move to LA but the house they are in contract to buy just got destroyed ?