I thought my 140k rehab funds were plenty, but I found out the hard way that it would really take $50-$60 per square foot for the interior. 

Whether you’re meeting a potential client or an existing partner, it’s essential to understand their needs and concerns.This can mean taking the time to understand what each property owner is truly looking for.

I pocked around $430 per month with limited responsibility.I was able to sell that property in 24 months to that tenant buyer and made a decent return.This doesn't make sense for every property buy lease options are a way to take a property that is sitting, to a property that is producing income while limiting your expensesAll the best!

I run a full-time planning practice focused on real estate investors, so I wanted to add a few thoughts for context:1.Cash Value Takes TimeMany IULs (Index Universal Life policies) may take 7–10 years before you can borrow a meaningful amount of cash value.

We used a HELOC on our primary to purchase and begin renovations on a duplex nearby, and just this month closed on a fourplex that has a couple units rented, and a couple that need full demo/flip (which is now in progress).I'm taking some big swings and really having a blast doing it.

There l also learned to do commercial job take offs and estimating. 

Preferably something that will not take longer than a year and will actually have jobs waiting at the end.

Start ups are hard, expensive, and take a long time to get going.Have you looked on Bizbuysell, Crexi, or Loopnet, to see if there is one that is already going for sale?

It's great you are taking the first steps to better your situation.

Go where the deal takes you, don't wear blinders, keep your vision open for whatever opportunities present themself, and NEVER invest on hope, facts only, known documented FACTS.