Should I bulk or cut first?

[dmx2004]

I'm a 17 year old skinny fat male, 72kg (158lbs) 179cm (5'11) at 17% bodyfat, Been working out and managing my diet at home from March to September, when I joined the gym. Got all the basics right, progressive overloads, heavy compounds, at least 150g protein a day, 3.5l water a day, (currently fixing sleep) and I've been on 3000kcals for a while. (maintenance is 2900) I want to get down to ~12% bodyfat and I was thinking of cutting for two months on a 15% calorie deficit to get down to that and then do a proper bulk-cut phase, or just bulk from now and do a longer cut later. I don't know which is better, as I would like to start making a visual change to my body as there's been none (when relaxed) compared to a year ago even after all the training but I also don't want to get excessively fat. One of my friends who does boxing and bodybuilding advised me to just bulk from now and cut later but with my current level of body fat I'll be proper obese by the end. I'm thinking of a 5 month bulk on ~3500kcals and then a 5 month cut, but I'm probably not the best person to make a decision on this.

[Darkius]

I stopped at 17. You should bulk. With your hormone levels you'll burn that fat off just fine. Just make sure you eat healthy foods, avoid soda and candy and added sugar, and only exceed maintainence calories by 400.

[TolerantLactose]

How did you lose 9lbs while bulking?

TDEE says my maintenance calories for a 17 year old, 167lbs 5'10" male (~17% bodyfat) doing moderate exercise is around 2700, which sounds pretty high, I'm on a bulk for 2-3 months