It will be easier to get into the current marketplace - almost anywhere - if you have at least 20 or 25% down for conventional financing.

Also, renting a unit while someone is actively living in it, prior to them packing to move, is infinitely easier than doing it while it's empty or a wreck with boxes.

You'd think for a profession where your reputation is everything, it'll be alot easier to find someone that shows up and responds back when they say they will.  

My borrower/buyer referrals are pre-approved in advance and these are clean Mortgage Broker to Buyer Agent referrals.With being set up on MLS notification to receive alerts as well as the many other sites like Trulia/ Zillow, etc., from there we just need a lockbox code and negotiating skills to secure the best price, in addition to the $12,000 Realtor Rebate to borrower at closing.These are on the sales contracts and on the final CD or Closing Statement. 

They'll confirm the ARV and current values (you want that BPO/appraisal), make sure you have the right insurance in place, ensure title is clean, etc. 

I know most flippers use hard money because it’s easier and they are out of the loans in 6 months anyways (so the high interest rate doesn’t matter), but I was curious.

Search the site for recent forum threads on this subject; you will find a wealth of information.I always recommend that OOS investors look for places that are easier to get to and places that you want to visit since you will be going there regularly. 

As odd as this may seem, I almost found things easier in a softer market a few years back.

This is easier than it might look to you right now.

I don’t want to do anything to it other than cleaning it up.