I partnered with an experienced STR agent, Troy Nowak, and purchased my first short-term rental in Palm Harbor at the height of the real estate frenzy, navigating fierce competition and ultimately overcoming What made you interested in investing in this type of deal?

A small multifamily property is a smart choice for a first investment—it offers a great balance of income potential and manageable scale for someone new to the space.Don’t worry about being ambitious; it’s clear you’ve done your homework, and you’re already ahead of the game by setting a clear goal.

For what you are trying to achieve you'll want to stick to the suburbs and a few choice neighborhoods on the West Side of the city.

TX market has been a popular choice for those seeking higher appreciation.

Start with BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginners Guide (free).

Ultimately buying real estate without down payment funds is far trickier of a process.

Give The Ultimate Guide to Grading Cleveland Neighborhoods a read to see which neighborhoods fit your appetite for risk. 

My ultimate goal is to house-hack this deal as well. 

Asking them implies they have a choice.

The ultimate answer is no (and I'm not a tax accountant).