You’ll want to get really familiar with local zoning laws, short-term rental rules, and landlord-tenant laws as they vary by town if you plan on going the STR route.Focus on Cash Flow Early On: You might be tempted to go for something that appreciates quickly, but in the early stages, it’s important to find properties that bring in cash flow.

I am on a real estate journey to grow and obtain a potent Real Estate Portfolio.

Despite all your efforts to buy them goodwill, they will give you the middle finger when it benefits them.

Currently I am working on 2 single family homes, with the help of my realtor and mentor, Gloria N Gear. 

You might also meet title agents who have resources on, say, foreclosures or probates…and might recommend lenders who actually lend on more difficult projects (as the title companies also know which lenders can close and which are difficult).I also go visit open houses to see what sorts of finish to put on my renovations or to look for the next house or area in which to purchase.  

How confident are you on the ARV.

Quote from @Robin Cloud: It's hard to make a decision based on this.

I once bought a house that had been on the MLS for over a year.

That's how I started, with a company called Flip More Deals (currently called the Growth Collective) they were very hands on and helped me through the entire process and connected me with a lender and gap funder, very hands on you should check them out.

I have refinanced (rarely mind you as there are costs that take years to recoup on a refi) and am happy to see equity build as the mortgage shrinks.