We own our house in Seattle and are trying to determine the best strategy for our move - what approach would net us the most money over the next 1-3 years.

If you want to make money you hustle and hustle and hustle. 

And I will always be against delaying the receipt of money.

Hello @Yvonne Wang,The scope of work should include the following:- Basic info: Property address, client name, contractor's contact info, address, license#'s, signed general/operating agreement b/w contractor and client- Specification of repairs: Repair item, Quantity of items needed, total & per unit cost of items, taxes (if applicable), Completion hours, title of the person responsible for the repair item, written summary describing the work- Add'l info: Schedule of repairs, additional payment schedule details i.e. disbursement schedule, method of disbursement, deposits, holdback amounts, etc.The screenshot below highlights a couple of repair items.

There are so many online hard money lenders.

Unless you're working with Private Money that is going to carry the risk of your lack of experience, banks want to see experience, Net Worth and liquidity after close to consider the terms.I started with single family, four plexes, and remodel flips for a lot of years before getting into larger deals. 

I was out of college (just earned my degree in Culinary Arts) and was constantly running out of money.

It's an exciting journey that can offer both financial rewards and personal satisfaction.

We then use our money for the improvements.

Sellers rarely mind the low deposit and extended closing period due to the nature of the property, or at least they can be made aware of the fact that their lot has issues that will take MY time and MY money to solve and then they come around.My terms on the flip are: Minimum 10K spread between purchase and flip value.  1-2K deposit upfront to hold the property for 7 days then the deposit becomes non-refundable after the 7th day and the buyer has the same amount of time that I originally negotiated with seller typically 8-12 months(its a purchase contract but because of contingencies its essentially an option).