The margin compression isn't one thing.

I've had several thoughts here lately regarding margin loans in a traditional taxable brokerage account. - Open ended loan- Interest rate can change (several brokerages offering 5% and lower right now)- Amount varies depending on how much you have invested - Interest rate also varies with how much you have invested and changes with marker rates-Margin interest is tax deductible Why would I take a hard money loan when I can use margin?

Hello Everyone, ATTOM data shows Q4 2025 flips averaged 180 DOM (up 20%) with rehab costs +11% from tariffs—gross profits dipped to $72k despite 28% ROI target.​Quick Trends:Light rehabs (<$50k) now 65% of volumeMAO formulas adding 15% rehab buffersHybrid exits (wholetail if DOM drags) risingYour experience: Holding costs eating margins most?

Holding costs scale linearly with timeline, and every week stretched is a full percent of margin gone.

I also make sure my GC knows the draw schedule upfront and we coordinate inspections to hit their timelines, not the other way around.Another angle: some flippers are building a small cash reserve specifically for draw gaps.

Alex's point about scope creep is the real margin killer.

When you look at the numbers instead of going off relationships, you quickly see who’s actually protecting your margins and who isn’t.So has tech doubled our NOI?

I’ve seen margins get hurt the most when rehab timelines and days on market are underestimated.

STR-specific insurance isn't about "worth it."

My lender has issue with specific exclusion language on my policy, that the policy was over 100 pages long.