After some pushing we finally got the signed and approved itemized bid along with the 25% deposit on Saturday ( 2 days before we start work...)later in the day they asked if we were licensed and bonded.

Another way to lower capital gains is to sell other related items at a loss.  

The other item I didn't budget for are repairs, although my reason is less than stellar in this case.

I've been researching some lending from either private or traditional but I can't decide what is a better route.  

I have liquidity from the previous business to invest and hopefully kick start this endeavor.Biggest challenge - I don't know this industry, I am coming from a completely opposite industry in the technology field.What I have, I think, in my favor, are colleagues from the RE industry with experience in both traditional RE sales (agent/buy/sell) but also experience in the REI side (one owning about 70+ properties and the other owning about 25 properties, both using their properties for passive cashflow)With an engineering/analytical background, my greatest fear right now is the unknown and I am trying to shore up that experience through reading and listening to others, but as I have already discovered, its like taking a drink from the fire hose - way more knowledge than I can consume in a short period of time.Questions I would pose to anyone interesting in providing some feedback -- Best way to look for that first opportunity?  

@James Bynum, is there an option to utilize another (traditional trash cans) trash service in that area?

Banks lend on present value, not ARV traditionally. 

In many respects, a good wholesaler isn't all that different from a traditional REALTOR (pretty sure I have to capitalize the word since I am one!)

Only real estate we have bought in the past was the traditional 20% down, so this creative strategy is new to me.  

I used a portfolio loan and it was a much less painful process than the traditional loan I used on my personal house.