I do a majority of my business in the Saint Paul market and most my clients that are staying in the market are taking advantage.

Raise the rent not one penny less than $2100 even if the apartment needs major work. 

What's the major source of income in that area?

The majority of the multi inventory I come across in the city tends to be 4 walls and some joists, coming with a 6 figure acquisition and a 6 figure rehab cost.

I am currently a student majoring in business administration with an emphasis in finance and a concentration in the real estate field.

The biggest problem I’ve found with doing a major repair in a room that the tenants can’t utilize that room until it’s finished.

Renting out part of your primary residence as a STR opens your search to the majority of the metro area where, often with a license, you can legally rent part of your residence as a STR.Maximize your return while living there: I have rented part of my primary residence as both a long-term and short-term rental.

One major mindset shift for me was the "discovery" of leverage.

3) If there are any major crops or livestock grown on the type of property you are looking for, go to wherever the processing center or aggregation point is and chat with the manager (gin, grain elevator, market, auction yard, etc).

I was referred to a lender who is not affiliated with a bank or major institution, something I am not at all familiar with so apologies for my ignorance on this.