Cash-flowing assets with controllable upside will compound just fine.The transition to full-time REOne thing I’ve seen work well for operators like you:Start with 1–2 projects where you’re deeply involvedBuild systems + teams early (PM, trades, bookkeeping)Then scale selectively instead of chasing door countOwning fewer, better-performing assets tends to beat owning a pile of “meh” ones.I’m based in Memphis, TN, and work with a lot of out-of-state investors who come from construction, trades, or business ownership backgrounds.

The result is a cleaner operator pool, better guest experiences, stronger listings, and a higher concentration of performance among well run properties.

You should be watching your Market Performance Index, your booked days, and your average ADR for booked days versus the market median.

Im always open to improving mine :) 

Structuring deals to take advantage of depreciation or cost segregation can materially improve cash flow, especially for short -term rentals and potentially long-term rentals if REPS becomes an option down the road.

And while open layouts encourage social interaction, they also amplify noise, light, and activity spillover.Here’s where open plans can backfire:Early risers wake the entire houseLate-night conversations carry into sleeping areasKitchen cleanup noise disrupts guests relaxing in the living areaNo separation between kids’ activity and adult downtimePrivacy becomes a real issue — especially in 3+ bedroom properties.That said, open floor plans can absolutely work when designed intentionally.High-performing STRs often balance openness with subtle zoning:Defined dining area separate from main loungeBedrooms positioned away from the primary gathering spacePartial dividers, ceiling changes, or layout shifts that create “psychological separation” without wallsAnother factor investors overlook is lighting control.

They don’t ask only whether a property can be bought well — they ask whether it can move cleanly from acquisition to renovation, from renovation to stabilization, and from stabilization into long-term performance.A property doesn’t perform at one moment in time.

Looking back on 2025, I’m really grateful for how steady the portfolio performed.

Simply professionalizing operations, tightening underwriting, and reinvesting in the experience can materially change performance without relying on market appreciation.My takeaway has been that the more “business-like” the real estate becomes, the more often operator quality is the differentiator.

While I have a background in both Finance and IT (which led me into roles in real estate asset and investment management) I’m completely new to owning rental property myself.Professionally, I’ve focused on building software solutions and performing commercial-grade real estate valuations using tools like Argus Enterprise, ReaPage Fuel, and (of course) Excel.