If you have built one from the ground up what insights do you have or things you wished you would have known.  

That's what I've been coming up with as well, it almost doesn't make sense to use cash if you want to scale more quickly and get higher returns. 

I'm a travel RN with a few flips under my belt, one commercial property that turned out well, and am looking to purchase a property in New Braunfels, Tx to live in for potentially 6 months out of the year.

The skill sets are not the same.

But if you know of any other way, or any other area that does not require a lot of funds to start,  I'd be very grateful for the advice and information as well.  

In other words customer wants a spec house (at production hours cost) versus a production house, which if you are not set up for this, how do you price it as a non custom builder for only one home? 

This is how it is supposed to be handled but some lenders have overlays or loan officers are not aware of the actual guide lines or rules depending on their organization or who they are selling the loan to in the correspondence channel.I have come accross this several times you simply make the underwriter aware and in some cases the agents and appraiser are informed as well in case there is a need for an outside LOE letter of explanation. 

Making a bad decision can be a set back, but can lead to success.The beginning is always difficult especially without out any related experience. 

There is a classifieds sections.Outside of BP, there can be local host meetups, network with property managers in your market, as well as marketing yourself on Thumbtack, FB Classifieds, etc.Best of luck!

The right deal will do well!