After living through the GFC and the shrinking market for local banks, they saw an opening in the market for what they call "consultative banking" like they had years before and decided to start a bank.

Highly recommend partnering with a local realtor who knows the market. 

I see off market properties weekly, talk to investors both new and seasoned daily and I am actively buying myself.

DFW is a fantastic market for multi-family investments, thanks to its strong job and population growth.

I would choose the strategy that best fits your strengths (unfair advantages) and what the market in your area demands.

Lenders do not look at your personal income or debt and will use the current market rent or lease (up to 120% if the lease is significantly higher than market rent or vice versa) as qualifying income.

Make sure to factor in insurance (slight change as rental), property tax (in our market is 2x a primary res), vacancy (3-5% in most markets), capex (old roof?)

Hopefully we will be managing a handful of other STRs in the same market in the future.

I tried attending one in my local market a couple of times but felt like I was in some hotel ballroom being pitched on how the 12 year-old kid up in front would teach us all how to run to the back of the room to swipe $10K on our AMEX for the secrets of real estate investing.

Try networking locally with HML's who know the market.