During the last two years we have probably not “Gained” $2mm in profit or equity because we took a defensive approach.  

Don't split the work between multiple contractors if possible, finding one to do all or most of the work will keep prices down.Challenges were finding replacement pieces for certain items as manufactured homes were very different than stick built as well as going through state guidelines for affixing the house to the land Hey @David Jesperson, welcome to the BP Forum and congrats on completing your first solo deal AND making a nice profit!

That others are to deliver success and profit to you with a bow on it. 

I know that it eats into profits but it is something to consider for at least your first rental.

Market Selection: What factors do you consider when choosing a profitable location?

If I owe $350k mortgage and I take out $100,000 HELOC and spend it on say a 6 month CD,And then I sell the house for $700kI would only have $250k profit right?

Without standardized processes in place, costs can rise quickly, timelines can stretch, and profits can dwindle.- Standardized Renovation Models: Establishing a clear scope of work for different property types can help manage costs and reduce unnecessary decisions.

The idea is simple: purchase a property, live in one part, and rent out the rest to offset your mortgage or even generate profit.

-To your success, Zach Lemaster, CEO Rent To Retirement---https://www.biggerpockets.com/business/page/3497https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/ZacharyCole/referenceshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/92/topics/765347-rent-to-retirement-reviewhttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/850/topics/895660-my-first-investment-property-an-out-of-state-dealhttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/88/topics/1047543-big-profits-from-new-construction-sfr-build-in-cape-coral-flhttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/92/topics/983659-first-investment-property-with-rent-to-retirement?

Also, don't forget that, if you pay taxes, it means you're making a profit.2.