But it would be nice to have access to the software and a place to basically wholesale the ones you don't want for yourself.

Id keep looking if it was not an approved short sale ( even an approved short sale takes a very very long time and theres no guarantee that you will even close on the house after months of waiting). q1)There are plenty of non traditional lenders that could offer you construction financing if the numbers make sense but it will cost you with points and a higher rate.

The best thing to get started is building your team - a lender and a RE agent who know the Duluth market!

For a cash out refi, you are generally limited to 75% LTV and rates right now are in the mid 7s for good credit and a DSCR over 1.0. 

You can choose to report your income and expenses on Schedule C by electing to file as a Qualified Joint Venture instead of filing a partnership return.If you have created an LLC that is not in a community property state, and as husband-wife you are the only members, then you are a partnership and must file a partnership tax return unless you have elected to treat your LLC as a corporation for tax purposes.If you have created an LLC in a community property state, and husband-wife are the only members, then you are a partnership and must file a partnership tax return unless you have elected to treat your LLC as a disregarded entity or corporation for tax purposes.

I'm happy to share my experience as both a flipper and a lender.

Everyone thinks they can paint but there's a big difference between a professional paint job and a non-professional one (the latter usually actually damages the property instead of improving it). 

And a local resident is usually very helpful.

But the "art" really only comes with time in market and a deep understanding of both the market and the operations of assets.

I have 10 years of experience in retail real estate and a couple of partners who are interested in investing with me.