I’m on my 3rd flip and I want to make sure that I am spending money on the right details.  

@Kendrick CarterI would suggest following the @the203kway on Instagram.If you plan to spend more than $35k in renovations or there are structural repairs, you will be required to use a 203k HUD consultant - who is a great resource throughout the entire process.In my opinion, building a cohesive team is most important - below is the path I followed:1) 203k HUD consultant > asked for lender referrals 2) 203k Lender > prequal letter provided 3) 203k Agent > had personal 203k experience and completed transactions previously4) Offer Accepted & Under Contract > completed HUD walk thru and scope of work provided 5) 203k Contractor > asked for referrals from everyone, and the one I found was currently working on 203k projects and understood the process I am now just awaiting the contractor quote to finalize the loan commitment process!

You might spend $20k on a garage that might get you $50-75 more rents and add $8k in value to the home.

My usage is down and while I wont fad away .. kind of funny but i just found U tube about 14 months ago.. so I spend a lot of time there these days that would have been on BP.. 

Additionally, many FTHB programs are stringent with how much income your household is allowed to generate in order to qualify. 

I wouldn't wait as you will be spending money on rent so buying a property typically lowers your expenses not increases them, maybe avoid doing a big rehab project though, etc. find something instead good shape. 

Read some books, spend times on the forums, listen to podcasts.

Even if you can reduce the amount you're spending in rent right now (3.1k), you can still be a part of the appreciation play (although I wouldn't hold that as the main driver). 

This will not work and apps will just help you generate minimal activity that you don't have time to respond to anyway so I would spend more time figuring out how much time you can square away for REI.

Its your money to spend on STR, etc.Read your documents, but Loan Agreement would specify.