You'll for sure get those costs later.If you're looking for a sub $300k market in the SE, I'd pursue college towns with good athletic programs and create small STRs but be ready for the seasonality.

Having spent countless hours with start up entrepreneurs, students, professional athletes and spiritual practitioners I know that if you need something I will probably know someone who can help you get there.

Think lottery winners, pro athletes, rock stars.

Thankfully, I have a background in Customer Support, Sales, and collegiate level athletics which I think all point me in the direction of pursing the world of Real Estate Investment.

Glad you are preparing for life after the NFL, as so many athletes do not do so.

Hey guys, I’m a professional athlete that plays overseas and this up coming summer is when I’ve decided to buy my first two rental properties.

You might benefit more from looking at the experiences and investing habits of high function professionals like medical professionals, professional athletes and successful business folk in other time demanding fields.  

This is the kind of planning pro athletes and people in high tech have to do, they know the here and now can't last forever.

For the most part, people are much more skeptical on solar because it's installed on the roof, impacts athletics, and it's something that needs to be "dealt with" (either maintenance, contract with supplier, etc.).As @Charlie MacPherson added, mini-splits are a great value-add and through mass saves you can get a 10 year 0% loan if they having heating capability.As for Geothermal -- A real challenge can be ground rock in this area.

I am also a former pro athlete and now multifamily investor.