In fact most leads were not actually leads.I'm more so surprised at how much they are charging now and the fact that some realtors pay this amount of money for so few leads

Give it a try for two consecutive projects and see how you perform by project 3..... you will be surprised how such a small tweak to your budget can impact the overall project performance. 

Miami Real Estate Market: September’s Shifts and Surprises (My latest Study Blog)September brought some intriguing shifts to Miami’s real estate scene—especially in single-family homes, townhomes, and condos.

Broward Real Estate Market Update: September Surprises and Opportunities (My Latest Study Blog)September brought some shifts to Broward's real estate market, especially in single-family homes, townhomes, and condos.

Stop spending.I'd be surprised to see anyone take on a face-to-face mentorship with someone under 18, just because of insurance and legal implications.Listen to your parents, get a degree (something that can't be taken from you), get a job, build some cash.

I’m noticing that rent rates are surprisingly high compared to the somewhat competitive and affordable housing pricing.Single-family homes, some new construction are going for mid 300’s and rent is usually $2500 or higher.

EDUCATE YOURSELF - yes, it will take time, but will lead to a selection that better meets your expectations & avoids potentially costly surprises!

It's been a very challenging time this past year, and surprisingly we haven't seen any of the market drop. 

SURPRISE!!

How do you manage cost, unexpected surprises and keep the project on time. 10% to manage a rehab is actually pretty cheap, I suspect you have never done that yourself, otherwise you'd know how much work that is.