I normally flip very few houses, but lately it has been my focus so I can generate the cash to finish building a house.

I would say the cost of entry for a STR would normally be much higher than a typical LTR. 

Contractors normally add the cost of the permitting to the consumer and contractors may charge for the incremental time that it takes to wait for and work with the permit inspector.  

I normally save my clients thousands on new builds. 

Hey @Pat Quaranto - what you're experiencing is totally normal. 

Is it normal to pay down or fee before getting the $$?

Hi Aaron -  you will definitely want to have a game room and the best use of space is to normally convert the garage. 

It is normal to have 6 cars at every booking for our PF cabin so the likelihood keeps going up that someone would want one as EV's become more popular.

So many folks will scream that buying negative cash flowing RE is "gambling".

This shell company shouldn't own any assets and be just enough capitalized for normal operations; it should be the entity to interact with prospects, tenants, and contractors, while your asset-holding entities do just that (hold assets and nothing more).