This is a great strategy, but setting it all up properly is fairly complex.

I did so to ensure I’d have ample liquidity to jump on other deals when they come up.

But talk to the RMLO about what you need to do so that you will have a proper mortgage note that you can resell later, if you so choose. 

Comps on zillow are not always the most accurate, so I would have your real estate agent run true comps for you, so you can evaluate the deal properly.

A properly structured BRRRR property is designed to give you instant equity once the rehab is done, its also designed to cash flow much better than buying a home that needs no repairs and is rent ready.

What can I do to ensure everything goes well? 

As a result, the pipe was not able to drain properly and once below freezing temperatures came, the pipe burst in the basement.   

I would also be careful if you only have the 20% down and do not have cash reserves, things will go wrong its real estate, you need to have additional cash to ensure you can cover "what ifs."

We're in Los Angeles proper and it took us 9 months to find our duplex in LA - that includes the time we started searching for a property to the time we closed on our first property. 

What zip codes would you guys recommend driving through in Phoenix proper?