Do this now: pick a simple buy box (for example, house hack-ready 2–4 units within a short commute), analyze 5 listings a day for two weeks, and attend two meetups this month to meet operators and a potential mentor.

Personally, as a an STR consumer I care more about finding a decent sharp knife and a cutting board that is bigger than 6" - than a garbage disposal.

I’d use solid-surface or entry-level quartz in the kitchen and a prefab vanity top in the bath—both resist stains, heat, and tenant wear better than laminate without jumping to luxury.

Given Portland’s rules and prices, keep it simple and conservative: define a tight buy box (SFH 3/1–3/2 or small duplex in stable, landlord‑friendly pockets), underwrite with real taxes/insurance from the address, PM‑verified rents, and a healthy repair/vacancy buffer; ADUs can work but pencil them as a bonus, not the reason the deal works.

The goal is to attract the interest, a stampede when the property becomes available and a bidding war as a result.Your pictures can show the property with all of its glory and be taken such that the problematic windows are not shown.

Private lenders and partners often care more about trust and a solid plan than perfect numbers.

We originate both hard money and DSCR loans direct, and as you know, the yield and margins are very different between the two.For those of you running similar models:How are you setting up your comp plans?

Traditional lenders are tightening up, and a lot of flippers are having to pivot fast to keep deals moving.Curious — how are you funding your flips right now?

I’d connect with a lender to get pre-approved, a local real estate agent to find a good deal, and a maybe CPA to make sure you're taking advantage of the tax opportunities and get set up correctly for future growth.

Rancho Cordova, CA - there's a VA hospital down the street, and a Kaiser Permanente around the block.