Their short term rental revenue depends on 5-star reviews, which means they’re incentivized to maintain your property at hotel standards. 

I am embarking on my first real estate investment in the San Antonio area.

It really depends on what strategy you are looking for.

Unfortunately I don't have anyone to trust on or anyone to know familiar who can help and I'm just getting started in real estate investing.

Most of my background is on the operations and management side of real estate—budgets, maintenance, vendors, tenant experience, and owner relations.Now, I’m looking to take the next step and start investing in rental properties myself, with a focus on cash-flowing single-family and small multifamily deals.

Depending on layout and local rules, some owners explore:renting a room or portion of the homeadding an ADU if zoning allowsshort-term or mid-term rental strategies (if permitted)The goal is to have the property help carry itself rather than relying only on outside income.3.

This makes me guess, maybe incorrectly, that you have not yet started your real estate business and have not even decided what it will be. 

As a firefighter with an assumed shift work schedule, you will likely have time to dedicate to your real estate endeavors.

I would tell you that the best way to learn depends on the individual.

The reality of real estate investing is that you only need two tools.  1- a Blue Pen2- a Note Pad.