We had to upgrade from a gravity furnace to forced air so we decided to do the furnace and A/C.

I am planning on doing my first flip and a bit nervous to say the least.

That being said, you'd sure better trust that they actually pay.If you're talking about contracting w/parties and wholesaling; In WV, my understanding of the laws is that all transactions concerning an interest in real estate must go through a licensee and a closing attorney. http://www.wvrec.org/Law.pdf

I am in the military and as most know, military bases aren't always in the best locations.

I am currently looking for a real estate agent, and a quality property management company.Please let me know if anyone has any experiences with either of these.

I even owned my own business when I had a brain anuerism and a stroke.  

I am focused on the mid-west at the moment and have been searching and learning about AK, PA, OH, and a few other states economic factors and stats.

When doing the numbers for a flip, is there always a lenders lawyer fee and a brokers fee?

Since you are on a tight timeline, I would hire the contractor with plenty of references and a decent sized crew.  

(someone please, correct me because this is the way I understand it)Partnering with someone with money.Use your bank for a line of credit, which you will need to have a good credit score and a good salary to get qualified.Use hard money lenders (accepting their conditions but you need money to fill a gap since they do not finance you 100% of the project).Use crowdfunding money.Have cash of your own to finance a whole project.It doesn't matter what method of financing you use, knowing all the facts on a specific property will be required and the list is long beginning from the year built.