Hey Charlotte,Honestly, that’s a really solid long-term plan — and it’s one a lot of experienced investors eventually circle back to: use leverage while you’re young, then slowly trade speed for stability.

I really appreciate you sharing that — that’s definitely eye-opening.

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.

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

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.

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?

First off I think it's a great deal but I could use a large complex owners eyes to make sure I'm not missing anything.

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. 

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.

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