@Forrest Williams depending on how custom your flip is I think you will be fine.Most of the materials purchased for a basic rehab are all bought at Home Depot in my company.

The Vernon Hill model is very much centered around customer-service.And I've updated my profile with my current location of West Orange, NJ.

Vista is a newer company but have amazing customer service I only worked with them once, but see a lot of promise with them. 

They only provide legal advise to the realtor member, not the customer. 

Instead of cash we got custom features added to the house such as a sliding barn door to one of the rooms.

The first real estate designation I would get is the Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR).Topics include:Buyer RepresentationUnderstanding Types of Agency RelationshipsCreating an Agency RelationshipClient and Customer Relationships, Duties, and ResponsibilitiesHow We Work with BuyersBuyer ServicesThe Buyer Counseling SessionOffers and NegotiationsBuilding a Buyer Representation BusinessI am also an Instructor for the National Association of Realtors as well as the National Association of Home Builders, so if you can't find that close locally, I would be glad to come teach it if we could find sponsors (i.e. a large brokerage, mortgage or title company, etc.)

I personally havent used a GC before but I have looked, and you have a lot lower chance of getting burned if your contractor has a good reputation, lots of reviews, references, satisfied customers etc. 

Scott thanks for your reply, I see the logic of your argument, honestly from the list of things you mention the only one we have is speaking French since my wife was born there.  

As much as this is true there is an argument to be made that during colder months less people are willing to move, giving investors less competition when making offers.Only issues in winter months is getting renos done on time. 

However, being a Realtor this disqualifies me.Then there is the hardship for Landlord and undue burden with other occupants so as of now this seems the only argument I see.