Hi @Juan Robles,

Having done quite a few flips, my biggest advice for your first one is don’t underestimate the value of proximity. You’ll likely be at the property far more often than you expect. A 30-minute drive versus a 5.5-hour drive to Vegas is a massive difference when a contractor doesn’t show up, materials are wrong, or you need to make a quick decision.

A few other things I’ve learned:

• Expect it to consume more of your time than you think. Managing the GC, subs, materials, inspections, surprises, and timeline can become a job of its own.
• Know your market extremely well. Southern California and Vegas are very different markets. For a first flip, I’d rather know one neighborhood exceptionally well than chase what looks like a better spread somewhere unfamiliar.
• Finding good contractors is often harder than finding financing. Vet them carefully, check their work, and don’t assume the cheapest bid will produce the cheapest project.
• Deals come from relationships. Talk to agents, wholesalers, investors, property managers, neighbors, and even door knock. Some of my best opportunities have come from simply knowing and talking to the right people.
• Finding a lender is relatively easy. Talk to investors who are actively doing the type of flips you want to do. Most will happily tell you who they use if that lender has treated them well.
• Be cautious of anyone immediately trying to sell you something. Especially expensive mentorships, “exclusive” deal sources, or anyone promising easy returns.

With $100K, I’d focus less on maximizing the size of your first deal and more on finding something close to home, with a straightforward renovation, conservative ARV, plenty of contingency, and multiple exit strategies.

Your first flip doesn’t need to be a home run. Getting through the entire process successfully and learning how all the pieces actually work is valuable in itself.