I think you've read enough, it seems like you're in the paralysis by over analysis stage. 

Hello Everyone, we are working on our first flip in San Diego and looking for recommendations on affordable staging companies, any recommendations or tips will be very helpful!

My name is Sean and I’m 20 years old, work a part-time job, and am in the beginning stages of learning to learn about real estate, networking, investing, etc. etc.

The staging really took the house to the next level.  

I feel this could be a good learning opportunity for myself and other's who are in the early stages of their investing career.

I am still in education stage learning how to analyze deals and trying to figure out what market to get into.

Your bank would order an appraisal during the finance stage.

Utility costs, energy saving programs, regular maintenance costs, every little bit helps especially in the early stages!

I'm guessing your responsibilities are light at this stage in your life, health is good.My own personal hourly rate is $50, meaning if I can pay someone less than $50 an hour to do any task in my life, then I am paying them, because my time is more valuable.

At my stage of life I am investing in cash flow.