You can read a book and multiple books, but unless you are out there doing it (I.e. getting bids and getting contractors to truly get you an exact estimate) you will be far off from the numbers you want and may even lose money on the flip/rehab.The best advice I would suggest in my experience is that you should get into the line of work by either partnering with someone or working with someone on some projects prior to going into a flip on your own.

@Tom HallAt 7% if you can I would pay it down as investing it net after tax gains may not get you the 7% you are paying - so it’s less riskDownside is you lose liquidity of that money as it’s tied in your propertyIf rates come down in future you can refinance and even take some of the cash out.Regarding your question are rates coming down, a lot of factors come into play but right now it does not appear there will be significant changes to rates over next 3-6 months.

There are some that are great for sure, but I have currently heard terrible stories about people putting money in the last 2-3 years and losing it all, capital calls and losing the whole deal due to bad bridge loans (some coming do very soon). 

You do run a "risk" of being outbid at REO sale and "losing" the property, but given that may happen, the "total debt" is your security as you may bid up to that amount where it makes sense, but you may also be able to cash out for a healthy profit at sale if you so choose.

Hey Randall,Your question totally depends on your goals and situation but rarely is it best to lose $200 a month. 

I generally prefer higher since I don’t plan on putting in small claims, it’s basically just for catastrophic loses and the savings in premiums over multpiple properties for multiple years should balance that out if I have ever have to use the insurance.

Real estate for the last four years was betting on red or black but the ball was fixed to win as it was nearly impossible to lose.

You can lose your shirt...

On the other hand, there have been many STRs which switched to medium term housing families who were displaced after losing their homes in the storm.

I couldn’t “lose” my job.