Well, if you rolled it over to a Roth IRA where you manage it it might be better.But, if rates rise a little more, just pull from your retirement funds to cover. 

I personally like mail & have done well with it. 

I'm going to offer up a few words of caution, as well as the way I like to approach flips.... but to answer your up front question on financing, the typical heloc is going in the 9% range.  

Well, technically, you have to wait until the order is final and non-appealable, 42 days after the judge's order.The "older system" (still used by some counties) is the one that allows possession.

I am well versed and up to date on the VA loan program as well as other resources to help veterans understand their benefits to help them reach their real estate goals! 

We have projects in new build single family, multifamily, and RV Parks as well as ideas to work in the vacation cabin space. 

Flipping is not the best thing to start with unless you understand contracting and know the area very well.

We use CompanyCam for this, that might be something that will help you catch things that are missing as well as making sure things are done correctly, whether you are there personally or reviewing remotely.

We would greatly appreciate any advice on promising markets, recommendations for reliable agents and lenders, as well as insights on how to proceed as newcomers to the industry.

@Drew Sygit - this is some fantastic information, well structured and too the point.