A common strategy used by investors, such as those operating through PadSplit, involves purchasing the property, completing basic rehab, refinancing, and then using cash for the interior build-out.Another potential red flag, even without converting common areas, is the addition of individual locks on bedroom doors.

Despite being nearly 60,000 SF of land, strict adherence to the zoning code would only allow 7 homes because the parcels lacked street frontage despite being very deep.

One market shift and you're in the RED. 

Next thing you know it's time for a short break and your free to go..lolThe bottom line is know what you are buying and look deep inside yourself to ask the hard questions: Will I not be able to eat or live if I buy this, will i do the hard work to make it work for me.

I'd say forget the AI buzzword hype and go back to programming something useful based on real transaction-level data like below (that can help you with any deal you find, from whatever source you have).Sales Comps & ARV estimate:Market Stats:AI won't be able to provide you anything close to this, nor does the RedFin/Zillow market data drill down into the market as deep as I do here.Additionally, if you understand how the leading LLM's work based on a black-box floating point matrix, you just can't trust their conclusions like you can with your own program.

Housing shortages have more to do with boomers living longer and holding on to their large homes and provincial red tape.

I've hit it where I've given myself an almost 8 week interest free loan before and had no utilization reported, which is awesome when you're knee deep in several rehabs. 

And then do it again.It is actually possible to have a super experienced General Contractor, a very deep pockets money partner, and still lose money on a flip.The most common reason, in my experience, is having a project run over schedule and placing the property on the market during the off-season.

And unless you have very deep pockets, you can't afford to be that much off....So as has been said....hire a very experienced General Contractor and have them give you a budget number based on your SOW, (plus they will find other things that need to be done that you will not have seen).On your succeeding projects, you do a budget yourseld first, then hire the GC and compare numbers.Then, eventually you will be comfortable going all solo...but it takes time.

The fact that you've "put over 5 offers on houses since February" and moved to a different strategy is a huge red flag for me.