The other option is the good old fashioned way of bookmarking it to your browser. 

Maybe I could do sort of hybrid between both ideas; save up half the down payment through good old fashioned saving, and then do the second half with a 401k loan.

well you cant learn to ride the bike without skinning some knees..your talking about rehab construction and contractors.. any and I mean anyone doing any volume has had contractors / vendors take advantage of them or flat out steal.. bottom line.. and were it gets even more risky is those with no experience trying to do it from 1000 miles away.. they are not snowflakes by your definition they have just bought into the hype of what is soup de jour .. can it work out OK sure it does all the time can it be a dumpster fire SURE happens all the time.

If you’re going to flip more houses, I’d highly recommend helping them in some shape or fashion.

The contractor needs to be licensed and patient as most likely the lender will make him jump through hoops to get his draws in a timely fashion.

It’s a free event and We expect 30-40 attendees all looking to get their first or 2nd investment property in the area.anyways welcome to the site and be sure to enjoy the ride! 

I'd hate to have an investor in one my deals who wasn't prepared for the ride and didn't understand real estate.

A good old fashion accounting of expenses is far more appropriate to determine if asking rents are appropriate for the market with higher end properties.

I like the retro look and am sure they'll come back in fashion. 

Now this is also important because if the property is sold unfurnished, it has to be furnished for those tenants in LIKE fashion from when they booked it.