For example, if the job takes 20 hours at $25/hour, you’re looking at around $800 total.Expect quotes to be significantly higher, but use your formula to negotiate.

experience: I’m on my 3rd flipage: early 40sday job: brand and web design/development retirement savings: noneI want to learn about buy and hold to secure having SOMETHING for retirement!

The only time I'd say it's an okay idea is if either: The area you're investing in is expecting so much appreciation that you will easily profit off that (watch out for mortgage interest though...the appreciation needs to be higher than what you pay in that and expenses to make it profitable)You have some specific reason for wanting to do it- family ties, future home, major long-term hold, etc.Maybe I'm forgetting another one, but those two are all I have for now...

As someone who has spent a lot of time in ATX and recently moved from CLT I'd be happy to connect with you!

This will help you understand your options and decide if it's the right time to hire a pro. 

A great way to get started if you currently have a W2 job is to buy a house hack like a duplex or a fourplex where you can move into one of the units and continue to rent/manage the other units.

And it's not uncommon that investors get a little nervous about the time frames when doing a 1031 exchange.

During the time deployed (last 4 yrs), I rented the home.  

DSCR Loans - Both Purchase and Cash Out Loans- Investors typically use these on the cash out portion of the BRRRR Strategy - Minimum Downpayment, usually 20% but some lenders offer 15% down - Max LTV on Refinances, typically 75%, but some lenders will do 80% - Minimum Title seasoning (since the property was purchased and recorded on county records) is 90 days, although some lenders have no seasoning at all as long as you can show rehab work completed. - 30 year fixed terms - Usually have a Prepayment Penalty from 1-5 years, although you can price out a 0 PPP for a higher rate or fee- Minimum Credit score is 650 usually, although you could do a lower LTV loan at 620. 

The macroeconomics are on fire here - population growth, job growth, and companies moving and developing here.