Is it enough to just visit a couple time to get validation on desired location or is a 6-12 month stay needed?

Research the County Clerk / PVA office for LLC, and individual names that have a bunch of properties listed under their names good way to identify landlords w/ multiple properties.Just a couple of ways to find package deals. #2 is also a good way to find off market deals which is where you can save the most even if it's just buying a house direct from the owner w/o an agent.  

Quote from @Robin Simon: Quote from @Chris Seveney: Quote from @John ONeill: Compare and contrast private money loans and hard money loans.Discuss scenarios where each type of loan is most beneficial.Please share experiences and preferences. 

However certain seasoned investors later in life prefer to outsource the work and reap the rewards.

Hi Scott,It seems like you’ve got a strong understanding of creative financing and investing strategies, but I do have a couple of comments and suggestions that could help you improve future deals.First, while your financing structure was incredibly effective, it’s crucial to always account for potential delays in renovation and build in a buffer for holding costs.

Everyone says they use conservative projections, but so many are paying distributions right now, so they weren't conservative enough on their pitches or underwriting the last couple years. 

Any preference for one over another?

We are not finding the answers we seek on the exact best way to set up the accounting side of things, a couple gaps in the flow from adding inventory items on a Work Order to the billing phase, etc.

Two of my best buddies did this right out of college as well (in Milwaukee, not in Boston), while I waited a couple years before doing it, and I can tell you, I wish I did it sooner. 

If you can take out lines of credit on other properties you own, I prefer that to going the hard money/private lender route, because it tends to be significantly cheaper.