,Buying, renovating, and selling is a great strategy, but here are a few things to consider:Start with the Numbers: Make sure you know your ARV (After Repair Value) and work backward to calculate your budget, including purchase, renovation, holding, and selling costs.Financing Blindspots: Even if you’re buying in cash, plan for potential delays or overruns in renovation costs.

However I don't have enough cash budgeted out to put a down payment on a second STR.

At property value of $800k (my budget), the transfer tax will be $8400 alone.

If the taxes are killing your cash flow, you'll need to either negotiate a lower purchase price to offset the tax burden or budget for some property improvements that could increase rental income and help balance things out.

Speaking of loans... how much $$$ do you have liquid, what's your budget, and what neighborhoods do you want to buy in?

If you do it right, it’s arguably the best market to invest.Purchase: $80k-$130kRent: $1100-$1500 (no rent control in MI)1% rule: .9%-1.4% rule dealsCoc ROI: 5-12%Total ROI: 20-40%Cash flow: $50-$250/door (after all expenses and budgeting for maint, capex, vacancy)Appreciation: 3-10%+ (has been double digit for a decade)Location: C+, B-These numbers are based on the “sweet spot” in Metro Detroit.

If you budget the negative cash flow over the course of the hold period and have reserves set aside to fill the gap, there is no problem (assuming your investment meets your target appreciation rates - I understand there is no guarantee there). 

We see a lot of success in the suburbs:Purchase: $80k-$130kRent: $1100-$1500 (no rent control in MI)1% rule: .9%-1.4% rule dealsCoc ROI: 5-12%Total ROI: 20-40%Cash flow: $50-$250/door (after all expenses and budgeting for maint, capex, vacancy)Appreciation: 3-10%+ (has been double digit for a decade)Location: C+, B-These numbers are based on the “sweet spot” in Metro Detroit.

I would need to know more specs on the house but with material shortages It's difficult to say how much to budget. 80K-120K for full gut perhaps but unsure with lumber beings so expensive and shortages.I would plan 9 months of vacancy between the pain you will endure pulling permits & having your contractors show up everyday to complete the work & then final inspections to get a CO. 

We were one week over our original schedule (unfortunately our budget was much further off and my most off budget ever).- is your mentor unable to provide referrals, insight, assistance?