Seems to be the trend so do our best to fight it but be prepared to pivot as required. 

You may want to consider working with your accountant remotely to expand your options.I would also recommend looking for a tax strategist who is willing to work with you throughout the year, not just when preparing your tax return.

I also have plenty of capital prepared for my first investment!

When people express interest (no pun intended), you should have a package prepared to share out (not right away necessarily - but after you've entertained the topic at a high level) that includes your project experience (past flips) and schedule of real estate (rentals) as well as settlement statements that can back up your purchase price and exit.

Before getting into them though I would prepare to reach out and connect with dozens of contractors.

We were pretty prepared with our background in construction and real estate, but we all have lessons learned.

I am already preparing for the next round.

Between all the licenses I already carry for my current business endeavors in different states, I'm not too keen on adding another set of licenses I would need to possibly study, apply for and take a test for then maintain with CE credits in an industry I'm not even sure I want to take on with any meaning volume.  

For those curious, if this applies to them, just follow these general principals: To qualify for the Section 121 exclusion you must: Must live in the home in the past 2 of the 5 years 24 months non consecutive required Must have owned the home for at least 2 years Only one spouse needs to meet the ownership testBoth spouses need to meet the use test Neither spouse has excluded a gain / used section 121 in the past two years Must file jointly for the 500k exclusion

I communicated that I was preparing to take a loss on the flip and she agreed to list for a 1% commission.