I was single, exhausted, and had extremely limited friend/family time.Here are some items I flipped on eBay (focused on vintage/higher end electronics): I was able to put 10% down ($45K) on the 2nd house hack: #2Purchase Price: $412,500WHAT WENT WRONG AT PROPERTY #1 AND #2 IN LESS THAN 4 YEARS: (Keep in mind, both properties are from the 1970's)Property #1: - Water heater leak (replaced) (approx. $1,900 replacement)- Brand new replacement water heater then leaked less than 1 year later (was leaking for multiple days before I was aware, $2,500 to fix properly)- Old shower handle fell off, exposing old piping that was "about to burst" per plumber ($750 replacement) - Kitchen sink leak ($250 repair) - Old breaker panel replacement (approx. $2,000) - Fence post fix ($350) - New Furnace ($5,500) - Bird infestation removal resealing attic ($850)- New Vapor Barrier in crawl space ($975)Property #2: - New Water Heater ($2,000) - Repaired main water line ($950)- Hot tub removal ($600) - Tree removal ($1,235) - Bathroom fan replacement ($500) - Towel Bar replacement ($150) - New microwave ($450) - Pergola removal ($400) - (Due to damage from roofing materials crushing part of it during a strong wind) - New Roof ($13,695)I have probably missed a few items as well..... 

I didn’t have the funds for another purchase (I used savings for the first purchase and exhausted my HELOC for the second purchase.)3. 

The rat race of the technology vertical is proving to be quite exhausting. 

Hello everyone,I was wondering if anyone had any tips on finding quality materials when renovating that can withstand abuse.

Per the IRC, bathrooms need ventilation via an operable window OR an exhaust fan vented to the outside.

$15.00 per closetLight fixtures – glass cleaned and bulbs replaced $15.00 per fixture /$1.00 per bulbCeiling fan, blades- clean top & bottom, motor housing dust free $30.00 -$50.00Vacuum – per room (carpet is shampooed by management after move out at no charge) $15.00Carpet- burns, stains, soil as per estimate / replacementBaseboards – dust, wipe off, vacuum per room $15.00 per roomA/C vent cover – vacuum, dust $15.00Windows – Glass, tracks, clean and dust free $20.00 per windowTo remove window pane, slide pane to center of track- grasp each side, gently lift up and pull forward to remove, clean, replace in correct order.Window- Glass replacement $35.00 per windowScreens replacement- $25.00 per window -$40.00 per patio door $25.00- $40.00Mini-blinds replacement $20.00 per windowPatio door – Glass, clean both sides, track vacuumed, wiped clean $35.00Patio blind replacement $50.00 per windowOutdoor patio globe- clean $15.00Sweep off patio and railings $15.00Bathroom exhausts fan/vent cover, clean, dust free $15.00Bathtub, clean tub and tile surround $25.00 – $60.00Bath sink, vanity/countertop, clean $20.00Bath – medicine cabinet, clean inside, mirrors, light guard $20.00 minBathroom floor & wall tile – wash, clean tile $20.00 minTowel bar replacement $18.00 minToilet tissue spindle replacement $5.00Toilet – clean inside bowl and outside $20.00 minToilet seat replacement $20.00Kitchen cabinets – wipe off grease; remove shelf paper, empty out $20.00 minKitchen-sink, countertop, wipe off, clean garbage disposal ring $20.00 minDishwasher – clean, remove any food particles from inside $20.00 min Vent hood – wipe off grease, clean filter, clean light guard, top/underside $20.00 minStove/ Oven- wipe off exterior, clean under drip pans, clean oven/racks $25.00 min to $125.00Drip pans – clean (replacement cost is $7.50 each) $30.00 maxBroiler pan replacement $20.00Refrigerator/ Freezer-wash off exterior, top, seals, inside, crispers $20.00 min to $75.00Walls / Woodwork – remove nails, screws $15.00 minWallpaper boarders-removal per room $50.00 minNicotine – stained walls/ woodwork that require cleaning (see below explanation) $25.00 per hour min.The cost to prep the unit for painting requires the walls and woodwork to be washed clean from the smoke odor/ and nicotine stained damage.GaragesGarages should be swept clean and all debris removed.

In my experience, there’s always a story and sometimes the details in the deal are much different than one would imagine.What I see: someone who endured 12 months of anticipation, anger, humility, learning, letdown, stress, joy, and most importantly a mother flipping desire to take control of every facet of every transaction I will partake in in the near future.I’m emotionally exhausted thinking about what transpired over the previous 12 months.

However, I am trying to exhaust my options of obtaining funding to bring the homes up to code and ready for habitation.

@Dan Auciello I would exhaust a few free options before paying for a list.

Occupancy rates and ADR seem to be withstanding market shift, prices are lower than Blue Ridge, and year round attractions (wine, hiking, waterfalls, tubing, kayaking, history, festivals)