I have $5k cash for upgrades.

Then when you get hundreds, upgrade your network to people who have thousands of doors.

We did upgrades to the cabinets, the countertops, and had some vinyl plank flooring installed.

Investment Info:

Single-family residence fix & flip investment.

Purchase price: $225,000

Cash invested: $80,000

Sale price: $355,000

Full rehab, new kitchen remodel to open it up, New granite...

Should have invested more to upgrade building and used a different broker for leasing Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

I would love to see pictures of the upgrades. 

The last five years has been a cluster f of naive, inexperienced, poorly capitalized and unprepared wanna be real estate investors ( feeling fully “empowered” by obtaining information via books, video, on line websites, seminars, etc) buying properties that can’t possibly cash flow positively, especially in the long run when worn systems, such as HVAC systems, roofs, plumbing, electrical will need to be replaced or upgraded.

We are looking to upgrade and buy a second home as our primary residence and convert the first home into a rental. 

If they do, use it as a time to upgrade the unit and then absolutely bring it to market rates or increase above market rates if your upgrades warrant it.  

Pay attention to square footage, age of the property, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms - keep track of every new listing and follow them until they close, get it all on a spreadsheet... (3) look for a multi family, instead of a single (this is an easier way to build equity and create long term wealth), (4) instead of 20% down, try to get a 5% down program - use the cash to upgrade the HVAC, electrical, roof, plumbing etc., (5) live in the multi for a couple of years and keep saving as much money as possible, and (6) start looking for another similar property and do it all over again...