Welcome new members! Take a moment to check out the resource and the general discussions pages! Lots of goodies for you there. Excited to hear what you take away!

Flipping gets a bad rap sometimes. People think it’s just about quick money or fancy renovations. But the real purpose of flipping is to generate capital you can reinvest into long-term wealth. Think about it: - A solid flip might put $25,000–$40,000 in your pocket. - That cash can fund down payments for 2–3 rental properties. - Those rentals then start building passive income. Too many beginners try to live off flips. They spend the profits instead of stacking them. Flips should be your cash engine — not your end game. Smart Investor Playbook: 1. Flip 1–2 houses to build capital. 2. Use profits as down payments on rentals. 3. Once rentals stabilize, move into BRRRR to scale faster. 👉 Takeaway: Treat flips as your ATM to fund bigger, long-term moves. Cash now, wealth later.

One of the fastest ways new investors lose money is by underestimating rehab costs. On paper, deals look incredible: low purchase price, solid ARV, strong margins. But when the dust settles, the profits vanish — not because the market shifted, but because the rehab budget was fantasy. Here’s why this happens: - Beginners assume “cosmetic” updates will be enough. They forget roofs, HVAC systems, plumbing, or electrical work can eat tens of thousands. - They trust one contractor’s verbal estimate without getting it in writing. - They skip adding a contingency buffer, leaving no room for surprises. Flips: If you underestimate rehab by $15,000, that’s not just $15,000 gone — it’s $15,000 straight out of your profit margin. A $25,000 projected gain quickly shrinks to $10,000. Rentals: Skipping needed repairs to “save money” leads to higher maintenance costs later. Tenants won’t stay in properties with constant problems, and turnover destroys cash flow. BRRRR: Rehab is even more critical here. The refinance depends on the ARV. If your upgrades don’t actually raise value, the bank won’t appraise high enough for you to pull your money back out. How to Fix It: Walk properties with contractors. Don’t guess — get line-item bids. Always add 10–15% buffer. Something always goes wrong. Budget for it. Distinguish between must-do repairs and nice-to-have upgrades. Focus on what increases value. Use a written scope of work. No vague agreements. Details protect you. 👉 Takeaway: Rehab isn’t just a line item — it’s the lever that makes or breaks your deal. Get it wrong, and you’ll kill your profit. Get it right, and you’ll create the value that powers flips, rentals, and BRRRR.

Most beginners think great deals are “found.” They picture stumbling onto a hidden gem, an overlooked property, or a secret opportunity. But in real estate, good deals are created by discipline, not luck. Here’s how that plays out: 1. Buying Below Market Value- You don’t need to wait for a “perfect” property. You need to negotiate well and structure your offers properly. If the ARV is $200,000, and your rehab is $40,000, you’re not paying more than $100,000. If you stick to that math, you’ve created your margin. 2. Running Conservative Numbers- Smart investors always underestimate income and overestimate expenses. If rents come in higher or repairs come in lower, that’s upside. But if you build rosy numbers into your deal, you’re playing with fire. 3. Forcing Appreciation Through Rehab-Flips and BRRRR deals succeed because you increase value. Cosmetic updates, system repairs, layout fixes — these aren’t just expenses, they’re value creators. A $30,000 rehab that increases ARV by $60,000 didn’t just improve the property — it created a deal. 4. Using the Right Financing-Cash is king, but leverage is the multiplier. If you’re refinancing a BRRRR property, buying right ensures the bank appraises high enough to return your money. The financing structure doesn’t make the deal — your discipline at purchase does. 👉 Takeaway: Stop hunting for unicorns. Learn to analyze, negotiate, and rehab with discipline. The best investors don’t “find” good deals — they create them.

This list will be updated from time to time. These are things that have been brought to my attention that people might overlook as they work through the course.