Whenever you say "I heard that" it usually means you heard that from an unvetted source.

Heck no, I have been flipping and holding props for 10 years ,100s and 100s and 100s , NEVER using an agent, and never buying listed props.

Bought 1st house when I was 19 and never looked back How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

Yes, just like @Jon Gibbens said, run your comps and never rely on the estimate that the platforms give you.

thank you for all of the great responses.My original goal was to end up with approximately 10 SFH to supplement my retirement, but now that I have a couple in the works, I'm open minded to all aspects of RE. 

Quote from @Keyano Burgess: Hi Rehaan,My philosophy is the numbers never lie.

I always wanted independence from an employer, but this was the push I needed to get of the porch and out my head and start the process.I am here to start my journey of financial freedom, where I will never have to worry about anyone  making major decisions that impact my life in a way that I can not control and leave me in desperation.

We never supply appliances.

In the future, a) get a super detailed Scope Of Work and ironclad Contract. b) Do not pay more money as a progress payment than the amount of work that has been performed, that way you are never ahead of the Contr or vice versa.Your options (depending on how much he owes you) are Small Claims Court, the State Registrar of Contrs, and possibly the local DAs office or State AG if the amount is higher ($50k ish)Good luck, let us know what happens.

We agreed on the date of separation (end of season).