@Natalie Lopez thanks!

Sara Lopez from Big Bear City Hall was very helpful and very responsive. 

I am already celebrating your success. 

Hi @Chris Lopez, that sounds awesome.

@Frank Lopez I agree with @Rick Pozos you can get extremely specific with your property criteria for example targeting only folks who have 60% equity in their property or better ,list source is a great site! 

Hello BiggerPockets, I have been on the fence about sharing my “First REI Success Story” as I’m not one for the limelight, but I felt it was important to celebrate small victories and perhaps my small success will motivate other would-be investors…so here it goes!

Do not set as one of the selections until you are very confident things look good.Do not celebrate and take a vacation right after your property closes that you are selling for the 1031!

BP made me realize that the people I see on DIY and HGTV aren't the real people doing this; those are celebrities who, while clearly talented, had years and years of work and practice to make what they do look easy, and that I can get there one day.I plan to buy and flip my first property in the next two years, after which I will continue flipping/selling until I can buy a rental property for cash, repeating the process until I am comfortable.

As a buyer what happens  typically is people sell something and then want to celebrate and take a vacation thinking 45 days is all the time in the world.

@Chris Lopez, we've talked to three lenders and all three have not gotten very creative at all.