If you compare it to a savings account, it looks completely different.The average flip is turning in $20-30k out in under a 6 month hold on 100k-125k investment.  

For example, If you are using the place as primary home, you could save on capital gain tax when you sell it.

Just a ballpark. 10K in savings, 120K in Stocks, 100K in 401kThe link below is the property I’m looking at trying to buy.

I'll use an example with similar numbers because I want to truly understand the reasoning here:On the high end, the interest rate would sit around 5.75%, at the cost of -.125 points (ultimately resulting in a lender credit of $164) and a P&I of $766 per month ... on the low end, the interest rate would be 5.375% at the cost of 1 point (around $1300) with P&I of $735 per month.Given that info, this is to say that if I planned on holding onto this property more than 42 months (that's $766-$735= $31 per month... then $1300/$31=41.94 months), then it would make financial sense to pay down the percentage rate up front at 1 point because beyond 42 months, I'd be saving money every month...

I am getting a short-term lease while I get to know the city and save up some money.

I'm not sure what your financing strategy is for your early phases, but it will save you time and money in the long run if you're familiar with all your options now.

Save it for when something breaks or is vacant? 

Being great at this will save you from losing lots of money.4.

And I Only have about $3000 saved up and was wondering what anyone thought about an early withdrawal from my 401k to get started.

It’s saved me time & money on my house search.