A flip can take three to four months when you're doing a cosmetic flip (new kitchen, new floors, new roof...etc).As for finding a competent contractor you simply have to interview them and see who actually takes notes, is reliable, gives suggestions, makes suggestions on how to find much more cost-effective finishes and does not over-charge then they're a good contractor but that contractor already has a ton of business.

However, we need more money to finish the current flip, and will most likely keep it our homestead for a few more years because we really like it and the area, and it will give us a great opportunity to HELOC.

Hey Taron, I recommend Kathryn Cook-Crespo and @Kevin Stringari with Bottom Line realty. 

We have one property (in New Orleans) that we just finished remodeled and are waiting to pass all inspections before we put it on the market. 

Now that that work has finished, I am back looking at real estate again, but looking at investing in 50+ acres properties in Southwestern Virginia and West Virginia.

GC the remodel and value engineered the finishes through my strategic alliances What was the outcome?

I just didn't want to make it possible for him to sue me.First, I wrote a negative review about him on a very popular niche-related site (like BiggerPockets in your case; just be careful if they have a common name so that you don't hurt someone unrelated) and his business using this title to make sure that it ranked in the top 10 any time somebody searched for him or his business:"Joe Blow of Joe Blow's X in San Diego, CA: An Honest Review After He Didn't Finish the Job AREA CODE + PHONE NUMBER"I was careful to make sure that I just stuck to the facts and didn't call him names or use words like "scam" or "ripped off."

If the compition demands a higher refurbishment (counter tops, and cabinets) then do that, but just a refresh on this unit (from the pics) looks like paint and LVP might be enough.I'd leave the cabinets and counter tops brown (unless competition dictates redoing them).Also a daylight bulb in the kitchen of the highest wattage the fixture will hold might make the area look better when you show it.The less income the resident has, the more bulb wattage they seem to like in the kitchen (they cook at home more).Good Luck! 

Looking for a reliable handyman to complete a few finishing touches and repairs on a rental property in Millville.

@Solomon Stavis the way people remodel is different, finish out's etc.