House hacking lowers risk while a live-in flip can be a money pit with endless surprises.

Don't be surprised if the insurance company has the family provide the security deposit.

I'm frequently surprised at how some people live. 

I'd actually be surprised if you can get a bank to finance an STR - most of them IME stay away from those, particularly if you're a newbie. 

Do not be surprised if you lose your entire investment and maybe more, if you have a recourse loan.On the other hand, real estate is a forgiving asset class.  

And the calculation windows for when interest is assessed would probably surprise most people, it's generally not what one thinks it is so often waiting to that statement does often incur interest charges. 

You can get the cashier's check and do any other banking transactions from the convenience of your home office or mobile device without ever going to the branch with any of these banks. 

Jared, you might be surprised what you can do with an FHA loan.

Better yet use a lender that gets you fully underwritten up front, so you don't run into any surprises.#2 Keep an eye on interest rates based on what the loan officers proposes. 

It was very surprising how ABC’s appraisal ($102,000) was so much higher than our bank’s independent appraisal ($60,000).