Guidance needed on first STR investment - location, identify deals etc.

[Sushree Mohanty]

Hi everyone - My husband and I reside in CA and looking to purchase our first STR.
Any tips/pros and cons on where to invest which will provide good cashflow? We will hire a property manager so that will be 20% commission. We qualify for $1M but not sure if it makes sense to invest that high for one STR. Our goal is to have multiple properties with positive cash flow over the next couple of years. 
thanks in advance!