If you are not starting from a very strong financial position and you do not have the ability to quickly stockpile cash quickly from other means then I definitely agree with that statement from the book.

I did so in the time allotted as specified in the agreement and now I find them sending me a bill for $19,999.81.

Purchased for $28,000 and sold for $110,000 on 11/22/2024, this deal showcased our ability to maximize returns.

I applaud you and your wife for thinking about this so early and your apparently great ability to save money for this next step! 

Before we started the flip he had filled me with so much confidence in his ability, then once work was underway it was one excuse after the other.

I have broken down 4 key benefits to a retirement account: 1) Compounding interest in the absence of taxation (particularly with a Roth IRA) 2) Ability to self-direct into alternative assets, like real estate, private real estate partnerships/syndications, crypto, gold & silver and other alternative investments. 3) Credit protection (see state specific laws), but generally inherent protections. 4) Upon death, if setup properly, probate avoidance 

Congrats on building that :) As far as the ability to purchase it as a primary with 5% down, yes you definitely can.

Pretty,  as others have stated here, the permitting process through the City of Cape Coral has been hindered by their ability to scale up their staff to handle the massive demands for all permitting including new construction but also anything else that requires a permit, home improvements, sea walls, alternative sea walls, pools and more.From your post, I can see that you are frustrated, and I believe some of that is due to not understanding the steps and processes of new construction, including what must be done prior to submitting permits.

Unlike traditional bank loans, private lenders offer quicker approval, fewer requirements, and the ability to customize loan terms to fit the project.

While those are all considerations and options you have a license and skill that is incredibly valuable to anyone who wants to transition into real estate full time....the ability to charge for your time.