You should be able to get a good feel for their teaching style by checking out social content and youtube videos. 3) Need to be willing and able to give you their time. 

For those still wondering why mortgage interest hasn’t moved down alongside the Fed’s recent rate cuts, check out this WSJ article: If the Fed Is Cutting Rates, Why Aren’t Mortgage Rates Falling?

I would first check to see if HELOC is even an option - in TX its hard to find and can only be done for a primary residence.

I found it by checking neighborhoods.

Check county recordsUse online search tools like PropStream, Reonomy, PropertyShark, etc.Use local GIS mapping tools (ask your county)Search online directories for LLC or TrustTalk to neighborsHire a skip tracerSend a letter to the propertyThere are a lot of options.

There are just numerous variables and calculations you must analyze to check. 

Also check out BiggerPockets sister site for passive investments: www.passivepockets.com 

I am not telling you to do one thing or another  Also, i believe that FHA will not allow renovations to a home unless it’s already livable with minimal to no repairs visually needed but go check.

A real builder is supposed to do their own diligence and be savvy enough to know that access (legal access, not just does it abut a street) should be the number one thing they check first.

I've been checking markets and have honed in on a particular market.