This was in spite of stage payments having been taken.

If you are in the 'maybe' stage, then maybe this is not the right time for you to jump into that particular field. 

To obtain $200k worth of cash flow at current interest rates would require around $7M worth of purchased real estate in the NY metro region if they all had loans at their nascent stage. 

We are still in the early stages of AI. 

I'm aware that approach may go against the very idea of flipping (e.g. 70% rule), but at this stage I prefer to be as cautious as possible, even if my margins might be smaller.

Continuing to house hack allows you to expand your investments at a manageable pace and maintain a lower risk profile, aligning with your commitment to your family's future.Our whole portfolio is here, and it all was made possible in the beginning stages by house hacking and equity build.

I also have done a lot of staging either at my client’s homes or my personal rental properties.

He acts as project manager, sources, finds the subs, and even oversees the staging.  

Would you happen to know where to obtain a list of people in the beginning stages of preforeclosure?

At this stage of my life (71) years old and more concerned with estate planning than career advancement, my top priority is asset preservation on an INFLATION ADJUSTED basis.