I've heard of mentees that started out cleaning up construction areas on a flip at the end of each work day or picking up supplies at Home Depot and delivering them to the job site.

Personally, I don't trust the Zestimate as it does not pull accurate values for comps since it may not reflect improvements, mistakes in property taxes paid, or exceptions to tax assessments.I would recommend working with an Agent who specializes in Investment Properties that can supply you accurate numbers. 

Do you recommend a fixed or variable interest rate?

So then, costs associated with title are variable and not fixed according to a company's bottom line as it relates to fixed/variable costs.

What if I wanted to order some supplies myself and have them shipped to the house (IE: light fixtures, bathroom vanities, flooring etc). 

It is tied to supply and demand. 

Supply chain issues can hike up the price of goods.

Way too many are quick to blame rates for not making a deal work, when in reality, if rate is truly the make or break variable, then you are already losing.Several of my clients invest in STR in the Smokys and are booked out solid for the next 18 months. 

There are numbers that are variable, and numbers that are not. 

They're inexpensive, there's less competition for them, there's strong demand for them as LTRs because there isn't as much supply, lower repair/rehab costs, and there's typically less wear and tear because you don't have as many folks applying with multiple kids, pets, etc.