Sometimes, it’s just a misunderstanding—maybe they thought the amount was prorated, or they ran into an unexpected issue.

For flipping, focus on accurate ARV estimates and budgeting for unexpected costs, while for BRRRR, building strong relationships with local lenders that can help streamline your hard money into your refinancing.

My bookkeeping firm provides me with a steady active income, which allows me to keep doing deals, cover unexpected expenses, and navigate the occasional black swan event.My Take on Cash Flow:Cash Flow is a hedge against corrections.

@Penny PengBig piece missing here - what is the best component ?

Maybe your situation is different and if you don’t feel comfortable in the neighborhood then this may be a moot point anyway.As for FHA, my understanding is that you must intend to live in the house for a year  it sounds like you did intend to, but due to unexpected circumstances- lead exposure and unexpected unsafe neighborhood- you have to move.

Any tips on avoiding unexpected costs or delays during rehab?

Having cash reserves gave me the confidence to move quickly on a great deal without losing sleep over unexpected expenses.

My friend said his client nearly bailed when she found unexpected wiring issues behind the kitchen walls..apparantly the seller hadn’t touched that electrical since the Reagan era..but with a patient electrician who understood the local code and a carpenter who improvised a shelving trick in the diningrom, they ended up selling above asking.Flipping and building can get tricky, especially once you start thinking bigger.

Make sure you've got cash reserves for closing costs (around 2-5% of the purchase price, repairs and maintenance (aim for 1-2% of property value annually), vacancy periods (budget for 3-5 months of expenses), property management (if you're not self-managing), emergency funds for unexpected repairs.When choosing markets, look for those with stable job markets, growing population, and strong rental demand.

It's understandable that unexpected things arise sometimes, especially when you're opening up walls or dealing with older electric or plumbing.