a flip requires CASH for closing costs and points, a down payment, holding costs, costs to cover any overage you weren't able to borrow...so, the issue with flipping is that (1) it takes capital, and (2) the return is 6-12 months out.

The NC is since 2019, so I can hold on a bit longer.  

Repeat.  

Plumbing/electrical, etc. is not for the faint of heart and only make sense to me if you are looking a buying and holding for an extended period of time.

My name is Sonia and I'm excited to start my real estate adventure starting with buying & holding properties in Maryland. 

My advice to any first time investor is to only buy a property you are willing to hold long term.  

Estimating a project is time consuming and hard to get a hold of contractors that do this the proper way. 

@Austin WoodAs others have said you will need to be very careful of whatever you hold back from the security deposit.

Memphis holds unlimited opportunities.

If STR regulations come to the area, my plan is to do MTR and while it is not as much revenue as STR, I should be able to generate a decent return over a 5 year minimum hold.