The key difference, though, was he spent months carefully getting to know the local architecs, reputable builders, and even a couple of niche design firms that specialize in modern builds for mid- to high-end buyers.

Is your $15k even enough of an emergency fund for you personally?  

If there are items of value left behind, or even personal items of sentimental value, I will follow the abandonment rules to a "T" to avoid any legal issues.

The seller is out of state and even visited the project a few times to check on the progress which I think helped him feel good about the whole deal as well. technology made the whole process a lot easier in the interim.

If there isn't parking I don't even look at the house. 

As a investment property lender we saw a lot of success with flips but an even bigger jump in BRRRR success with borrowers holding as long term and short term rentals. 

Even if it was 8 hours a week that is pretty crazy.

Hey @Brandon Toron,Given your plan to turn the property into a short-term rental (STR), you have a few creative ways to push closer to that 90% cash-out goal, even if traditional lenders shy away from it:1. 

@Raul VelazquezI would suffix what others wrote by saying that you need to understand that real estate really is a longer term wealth strategy - even though that is what you say you don't want due to your age / starting point.  

It is quite rural and it is much easier to get a permit for these sorts of things if you even need one.