Activities like tenant management, marketing, bookkeeping, inspections, overseeing contractors, and compliance tasks all count.Avoid outsourcing tasks, as this reduces eligible hours, and consider adding properties if meeting the threshold is challenging.

Quote from @Account Closed: I would say.. can you save the tub and re-glaze and redo the tile on the wall can save you $1,000 or more just on materials and labor..

Good market or not so much thx 

@Dennis KnappJ Scotts book on estimating rehab costs is a great start. https://store.biggerpockets.com/products/the-book-on-estimat...Here is a "general" rule of thumb for my market in Jacksonville, FL.

Where are the best markets to target in and/or near NJ in 2025?

To address this I took detailed pictures from beginning to end of my most recent flip, documenting that we did a thorough job using quality materials.   

Currently in the state of selecting a market.   

Too many flakes and dream merchants (using my material to teach while stealing your wallet and offering to help you look for it!).

Those are some very different markets you listed.

Price out as much as you can in terms of materials and estimates.