I have a STR that I've owned for 3 years in the Orlando market.

The market in the area seems pretty competitive with some nice apartments costing around 2,000 for rent so I am considering renting it out for cheaper maybe 1.8/1.9 so it doesn’t sit too long on the market.

I am a newbie and looking to eventually get into the Birmingham market.  

It's a great place to meet some locals with intimate knowledge of the Youngstown market.

One of the worst housing markets in the country, 27% of homes still severely underwater nearly a decade after the last financial crisis.

Consider markets like King's Mountain and Jacksonville, which offer the potential for appreciation and rental demand.

You can post on Zillow yourself and you will have to show it or you can hire a realtor and they will show the property for you as well as do further marketing.

Should I be looking elsewhere if nothing on the market in my area cashflows at 7%?

However you are familiar with the AK market, local contacts, etc.

To find good contractors, i've had decent luck with the NAHB website, https://www.nahb.org/nahb-community/nahb-directories I don't know that I would spend the money on a designer, not that they are not valuable and have their place, but with an investment it seems like there is a tried and true design that you'll see transcends markets.