This experience reinforced the need for meticulous planning and adaptability in renovation projects to ensure profitability, even when facing unforeseen challenges.

This experience reinforced the need for detailed planning and flexibility in project management to adapt to any unforeseen issues while still achieving profitability.

I made it by, but was never able to refinance due to various circumstances and none of the mortgage companies (it switched quite a bit) allowed a loan assumption to put it solely under my name.

Assess the application and approval process: Lenders with streamlined processes, like same-day approvals offered by California Hard Money Direct, can be advantageous for new flippers.Remember, the "best" lender will depend on your specific circumstances, including your location, the property you're looking to flip, and your financial situation.

Under these circumstances, I would lean toward doing what you can before close of escrow especially if the current landlord - who has a relationship with these people - is willing to help you. 

Even at your own primary residence, unforeseen things happen all the time and your due diligence is probably not going to be equivalent for an out of state rental. 

Rentals create cash flow, and that's what we want as real estate investors, but you need cash on hand for unforeseen circumstances.The AC needs to be replaced, that's $7K to $10K or more depending on the size of the house and if you have one rental, it will eat all your cash flow, same to replace a roof, etc, or if tenant trash the home, you need money to fix it again.To me personally a nice rental portfolio that is healthy consists about 10 units, so if you have an issue with a house the portfolio can cover the repairs and still healthy, but when starting you need to have cash on hand just in caseYes, there are multiple strategies you can use to hack your way to buy your first rental with minimum cash, but I would start wholesaling or fix and flip a few deals to create that cash as fast as possible

I created the following decision tree to simplify the process.Ultimately, the decision to use a 1031 exchange or refinance and take out equity depends on your individual circumstances and investment goals.

That worked well for my client's specific circumstances but certainly would not work for everyone.

Welcome to the BP forums, I wish your intro was under better circumstances but wishing you the best as you move towards a resolution.I have an expeditor who I've worked with for over 5 years.