Gravel roads need constant grading, and pads must be level and reinforced.

@Ernesto Galindo-DoucetteHey Ernesto, it really depends on your goals and comfort level.

They will be able to steer you on what is possible from a high level.

That is totally OK, just making the point that short-term rentals and long-term multifamily are apples and oranges --- different business models, different requirements, different level of involvement, etc.Just starting out, there is value in being close to whatever you're doing if possible. 

got hounded by them when I had my Mortgage bankers license  ( to send them deals)borrowed from them once or twice 5 or so years ago. pretty simple for someone of my experience level.

Due to the level of income generated from that business, it's unlikely that I'll pass that amount in my RE activities.

I'm a big believer that house hacking a multi with a conventional loan is the best way to start, so I'd be finding an investor friendly agent who you click with, talking to a lender and seeing what you can do within your abilities and relative comfort level. 

Some investors group them by state or risk level.

I feel like I'd like to start looking at more deals in different markets, as I'd like to make a purchase before the end of the year, but I need to feel confident about the following: (a) understand what returns I should be shooting for(b) have a fast 10-min evaluation system to make initial, high-level assessments of the deals(c) have a more in-depth evaluation method if it passes the sniff test. 

Collections agencies have different levels of collection success rates and some offer credit reporting some do not.