Depending on where you flip, you'll need to determine whether you want to do a volume play (cheaper deals but need to do more to make substantial money) or more expensive markets where one deal can be significant. 

I rejoined to get Rentredi for free and start playing with all the calculators.

If you told him you have been playing pickup games for the past year and need help improving your jump shot, now he has evidence you're motivated and a specific goal he can quickly help you work towards.

You’re acknowledging their expertise and the role they play in making you feel confident about your investment.Wishing you all the best with this deal and hoping it’s the first of many successful ventures for you!

Give it two years and you might be playing in the 700k range 

In a saturated market with high traffic, the play is to create properties that are decorated and themed extremely well so they will pop out online.

So people bought and ate the losses till 2007/2008 came and punched them square in the face and they suddenly realized how little they knew about the real estate business and the charlatans at play in a field of the naive.  

Though I will say, as an owner / specialist in local student housing, student housing wouldn't be my play right now especially for a first-time investor.

I don't think investors understand that in many foreclosure situations they are going to lose interest for sure and principal ( very common). the thought that 20 or 25% equity is enough coverage to alleviate a loss does not play out very often in a foreclosure situation.

Reaching out to hosts on Airbnb/VRBO can sometimes be received in different ways because response times/rates come into play.