Soon after purchasing the home, I found the ceilings were made of horse hair plaster.

Found this deal via a real estate agent.

All of my flips have been in DFW since that's where I have found a great realtor and contractor to work with.

Quote from @Daron Williams: I just invested in a tax deed here in texas it was a beautiful lot right on lake sam rayburn. i have it on the market for sale the only problem is you have to have two lots to build on.. i found the person that owns the lot to the right of me and there willing to possibly sale there lot the only problem is i dont have the money or the credit  to purchase it.

Here is what we have found and I will probably catch some heat for some of the things I have to say, because it does not sound "investor-friendly".

I found an auction person, and I see listings online.

Know this (found on every inspection website):  You should be concerned about cracks in your home if they are large, appear suddenly, or are located in certain areas.

@David Lewis I recommend reading “Long-Distance Real Estate Investing: How to Buy, Rehab, and Manage Out-of-State Rental Properties” - I found it to be very helpful when I got started investing 2.5 years ago.

Etc.Etc.I've found that when you can get crystal clear on what your ideal good deal looks like, it is MUCH EASIER TO FIND IT!

The ability to get funding in just a few days can make a world of difference, allowing investors to act quickly and lock in the best opportunities.I’m curious, in your experience, what strategies have you found most effective for building strong relationships with reliable direct lenders?