Scott The Book on Flipping Houses, The Book on Estimating ReHab Costs http://www.biggerpockets.com/flippingbookCouple good reads 9 Reasons You Couldn't Find A Buyer For Your Wholesale Deal Don't Start Wholesaling Until You Read This: Wholesale Advice from a Fix and Flipper How to Start Wholesaling: Getting Past The Education and Into the FieldUltimate Guide to wholesalinghttps://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/01/31/ultimate-beginners-guide-real-estate-wholesaling-2/Download BP’s newest book here some good due diligence in Chapter 10.

If I haven't even received the estimate yet, I know the work hasn't started - how long is this property going to sit?  

I have also read a couple of books about flipping houses and estimating rehab cost from J Scott.Right now at my stage in investing in real estate I'm trying to seek and learn about financing.

Scott The Book on Flipping Houses, The Book on Estimating ReHab Costs http://www.biggerpockets.com/flippingbookConsider checking out HUD homes for small multi's owner occupied gets first crack.

I casually look through the foreclosures on Zillow and stuff, but they only seem to be listed around 5% off the estimated value.  

Scott The Book on Flipping Houses, The Book on Estimating ReHab Costs http://www.biggerpockets.com/flippingbookConsider checking out HUD homes for small multi's owner occupied gets first crack.

It requires a whole basket of skills and you have to be good at all of them including knowing your market really well, marketing skills (and significant funds), negotiation skills, understanding investment strategies and what makes an attractive deal, estimating rehab and construction expenses, estimating after repair values accurately and networking - to name a few.

Oh Zillow's estimates are generally pretty off base unless you mean you looked at other rental listings on Zillow.

Scott The Book on Flipping Houses, The Book on Estimating ReHab Costs http://www.biggerpockets.com/flippingbookCouple good reads 9 Reasons You Couldn't Find A Buyer For Your Wholesale Deal Don't Start Wholesaling Until You Read This: Wholesale Advice from a Fix and Flipper How to Start Wholesaling: Getting Past The Education and Into the FieldUltimate Guide to wholesalinghttps://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/01/31/ultimate-beginners-guide-real-estate-wholesaling-2/Download BP’s newest book here some good due diligence in Chapter 10.

Is everything they pay in the intervening period rent  (i.e. there is no portion accumulated towards purchase)?