Yes, I'm knew at this and have a lot to learn, but, I hope I can continue in this business with full disclosure and not have to trick people into contracts they otherwise would not agree to.

A tip I learned when a large amount of rehabs were getting broke into for copper: drop a couple of pieces of PEX outside the front door and any good theif will realize that there is probably no copper to steal.I also have a 200 pound rotweiler named cupcake incase they figured out the PEX trick :)

There are meany tricks I have learned along the way mainly by talking to other investors.

In my opinion, toying with expenses is the easiest way to "trick" yourself into a deal.

I don't want flipping to "taint" my landlording income, and have the nasty consequences like SE taxes and all cap gains converted automatically to ordinary income.Does simply having the two LLC's do the trick, as far as creating tax status separation?

You, most likely won't be able to deal with the bank until the property is listed, unless you are a wholesaler who knows all the tricks in the book and buy more then one property at a time.

Homestead and other small homes have been a part of that area for a long time, although they are only now getting tricked out.

I know it’s risky because I don’t have a lot of experience or don’t have anyone to teach me tricks besides listening to Bigger pockets podcast but I’m willing to take that risk.

I'm in my 40's so let's trash the idea about old dogs and new tricks - if you're holding the treat of financial freedom, I'll jump through the hoop. 

The trick with Houston is that everyone knows it's hot -- so the retail prices are insane.