The vast majority of your wealth gain in real estate will be by holding properties long term and the appreciation/principal paydown will slowly but surely help you become wealthy.For 90% plus of people out there who are looking to start, house hacking is the best way to go.

Figure out what the seller is looking for.

Your not correct under many different circumstances.First property tax is 1.1% (fairly safe) with 2% annual increase (prop 13).Next expenses include a lot more than property tax and interest. 

The second thing would be simply the costs, themselves.

There have been some very good spreadsheets posted on here in the past that you can search for and find.A spreadsheet is going to be much easier to use and play with different numbers than an app.

Overall, your next actional step should be attending local REI meet-ups.

I expanded the kitchen and updated the bathroom What was the outcome?

Hey Angelo, welcome to the BP Forums.Wishing you the best as you keep moving forward.

We closed on the construction loan June of 2021, the permit came through Nov of 2021.

The thing that you have to remember is that the path of progress and a neighborhood "turning over" moves at a glacial pace.