So a lot of the home runs are off the table before your eyes are on it.

For live learning, keep an eye out for local or virtual REI meetups because they’re great places to build your network and find potential mentors.Are you thinking about buying locally or exploring out of state markets to start?

That means more cash flow, faster pay-back, and smarter reinvestment.What Is Cost Segregation & Why STRs BenefitCost segregation is the process of breaking down a property’s purchase price (or renovation cost) and reallocating portions of it into shorter depreciation lives (typically 5, 7, 15 years) instead of being lumped into the standard residential/structure life (27.5 or 39 years).For STRs (especially where average guest stays are short and you materially participate) this becomes even more powerful:It accelerates write-offs and frees up cash sooner.It helps you convert your property into an “active business” rather than passive income in the eyes of the IRS, making more deductions usable against other income.Personally I'm a realtor which makes it easy to gain "material participation" as I am classified as a "real estate professional"There are ways to structure a property that is managed by someone else and still qualify.

Hey Jeanette,You’re definitely not alone — a lot of investors start eyeing the Disney/Kissimmee area or Florida’s coasts for STRs because on paper it looks like easy cash flow.

But it does sound like there are good opportunities near those military bases, so keep an eye on those as you grow your funds and figure out what you want to do.As you get deeper into real estate, always keep the tax strategy in mind.

Like everyone said, the premium is in the eyes of the buyer. 

Since you're already in Ohio, definitely keep an eye on Columbus if you decide to expand—I'm investing here and it’s been super solid with strong population and job growth and big companies like Intel, Amazon, Google, Honda, Microsoft, LG and more investing here, plus properties still in the $120–180k range that hit the 1% rule and cash flow well.

An in-house team allows us to work on a rolling backlog of non-emergency repairs such as seasonal work while responding to tenant requests and performing yearly inspections, which helps us get ahead of potential issues and keep an eye on the condition of each property. 

That's another thing I have looked into recently, but the MF RE seemed like a better option assuming a hold period of > 10 years.I did not know about the CA fair plan - that's good to be aware of and I will keep an eye on it.Thanks for the advice you give at the end of the post concerning wise paths to take. 

You find some who are responsive, clear, and actually make things easier, they get you the funds on time, answer your questions without rolling their eyes, and don’t surprise you with hidden costs.