I’m definitely drawn to the balance between hospitality and investment returns in STRs, and I’m trying to stay focused on learning without falling into data paralysis or getting emotionally attached to locations because someone else made it work. 

~ No matter how much time as passed the emotions for the family are still raw..Good luck..  

Appraisers often value basic reno features in the $10K–$20K range (kitchen, bath, flooring), but buyers pay based on emotional appeal and finish quality.Use true sold comps within 0.5–1 mile, last 3–6 months, same bed/bath count and style.

True cash-flow investors are typically discouraged by the fact that property values are established by emotionally motivated buyers. 

One more tip – people remember stories that trigger their emotions.

Most Syndication LPs I have found approach investments emotionally versus from due diligence.Don't know any of the parties.Have owned 9 storage locations and developed 7 of them from ground up. 

Undertaking all tasks independently while managing the property for a year also yielded insights into:* Labor-intensive projects* The physical and emotional toll of renovations* Financial constraints* Project timelines and management* Interior design principles* Plumbing systems* Ventilation systems* Budgetary planningDid you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

The key is knowing your numbers and sticking to them so you don’t get emotional—let the deal either meet your criteria or walk away.

Love your approach—emotional intelligence is huge in real estate, and your focus on building relationships and systems will pay off big, especially investing out-of-state.

Thanks, everyone, for taking the time to respond to my query—I really appreciate it.Here’s my current thinking—please correct me if I’m wrong:Unlike single-family homes, where emotions often influence buying decisions, duplexes are typically evaluated purely on ROI.Property prices for duplexes likely won’t go that high because they need to make financial sense for a commercial buyer.