Knowing at the end of the day there is no paycheck....no meat to put on the table, unless our conscious effort, will, wisdom, skill, determination, and a dab of good timing all come together to make it so.That's what the whiners and complainers don't understand. 

The dynamics are different in each market so be conscious of that.Rocky Mount is much more of a renters market than larger NC cities. (% renters is higher on Edgecombe side than Nash County side)A significant portion of the housing stock is very old.Rent to price ratios and cash on cash returns for the market tend to be very high relative to larger markets in NC.

I DO charge 225.00 to 1000.00...buried on my labor bid for the cost of my brain to provide a real list of materials...being conscious towards waste being conscious towards costs to the clients benefit.

As for the 15-year mortgage, this was a conscious choice as I wanted $ to go to principal.

Any tips tricks advice on how to maximize STR rental while staying cost conscious on furniture/design?

Last tip is to make a conscious effort to be the easiest client they have ever had, so when that home run deal comes across their desk they immediately think of you as their go to!

Even being conscious of buying things on sale at the grocery store adds up, you can always find us checking out the clearance racks in the back of the grocery store.  

I think often times a tenant makes a conscious decision they want one or the other, but I could be wrong.

I couldn't in good conscious pitch the products to my friends and family after that. 

Now, sometimes passing on an opportunity is  rational and appropriate decision, but its more likely than not that they aren't doing it consciously.