Having a Buy Box was so beneficial when sifting through numerous listings in our area, narrowing down to what were actual opportunities we wanted to pursue.

You might even want a CPA who can handle it all, tax planning, bookkeeping guidance, and strategic advice, so you’re set up for growth and efficiency as your portfolio expands.Here are 3 things I’d look for when interviewing CPAs for a real estate portfolio like yours:Real Estate Expertise: Experience with both long-term and short-term rentals, understanding of deductions, deferrals, and strategies to save on taxes.Proactive Guidance: Someone who actively looks for ways to optimize your portfolio and keeps you ahead of tax law changes.Communication Style: They should explain things clearly, answer your questions, and work in a way that fits your style, virtual meetings, email, calls, etc.Once you narrow it down, you’ll have a much clearer picture of who can help you save the most and grow your portfolio efficiently.

See the chart from Fair Isaac Company (FICO) below: FICO Score Pct of Population Default Probability 800 or more 13.00% 1.00% 750-799 27.00% 1.00% 700-749 18.00% 4.40% 650-699 15.00% 8.90% 600-649 12.00% 15.80% 550-599 8.00% 22.50% 500-549 5.00% 28.40% Less than 499 2.00% 41.00% Source: Fair Isaac CompanyAccording to this chart, investors should use corresponding vacancy + tenant-nonperformance factors of approximately 5% for Class A rentals, 10% for Class B and 20% for Class C.To address Class C payment challenges, many industry "experts" are now selling programs to newbie investors about how Section 8 tenants are the cure.

See the chart from Fair Isaac Company (FICO) below: FICO Score Pct of Population Default Probability 800 or more 13.00% 1.00% 750-799 27.00% 1.00% 700-749 18.00% 4.40% 650-699 15.00% 8.90% 600-649 12.00% 15.80% 550-599 8.00% 22.50% 500-549 5.00% 28.40% Less than 499 2.00% 41.00% Source: Fair Isaac CompanyAccording to this chart, investors should use corresponding vacancy + tenant-nonperformance factors of approximately 5% for Class A rentals, 10% for Class B and 20% for Class C.To address Class C payment challenges, many industry "experts" are now selling programs to newbie investors about how Section 8 tenants are the cure.

As a veteran, I’ve seen how consistent tenant demand and stable employment in those areas can make for strong, reliable rentals.I’m still in the research phase and trying to narrow down where to take that first step.

Plus, single-family homes are super popular in this market, especially with families looking for space and beach access.Happy to share more if you want help narrowing it down.

I am still very bullish on investing in the Smokies, but the idea that you could buy something with 10 or 20 percent down and immediately start cash flowing was, looking back, a pretty narrow window of time.  

I’d start by narrowing your buy box (property type, rent range, returns) and comparing a few metros side by side.

I am talking "old school" QUALITY, as in a quality structure, in a quality area, of a quality market, minimum B+ and generally A quality. 

If you go remote, pick a market you can narrow the gap, maybe know a little because you have lived there once, or at least is easy to visit for you.