But they leave out the risks they took and times things didn't work out well.Most people started with something they lived in just so they can lower their living expenses and save more money, rent out the rooms or the other unit so your paying allot less in rent and mortgage.Allot of people did the toilet replacements and maintenance themselves in the beginning because they didn't have the money to pay someone else.So find a decent deal and buy it, just get started.It's easy to see people who are at the mountain top or clearly letting their snowball roll down that hill and miss the decade(s) of wading through the swap to get there.All you can do is learn as much as you can from them and just try to roll your snowball a little further up the hill.

Significantly lower expense than the current SA.

Some lenders will lower fees once you start doing a few deals with them, but they are still pretty standardized. 

After my generous employee discount, asking prices are lower than most (if not all) resale prices in this area.Understanding that BRRRR homes should be "distressed" so that the flip adds value, my question is:How can you "add value" on brand new homes?

Purchase price will be $53k if not lower, reno should be around $35k, and ARV should be at $130k being conservative.

It's indeed a great community for real estate investors at all levels of experience.

I want to either leverage this to lower my rent to inadvertently pay for a storage unit in place of the basement, actually gain basement access, or keep it in my back pocket as there is a small chance my fiance and I want to break the lease early and this may be grounds to do so. 

I do this at a more basic level, meaning fewer, larger lots in more rural areas. 

.  -- I'm not kidding re this level of detail digging today --   Your hair should be standing straight up re having a turn over!!

Since its a legit business, this will simply be a labor expense and expenses reduce your AGI(adjusted gross income) which lowers your tax liability.