Good Morning I was listening to the BP Rookie show #300.

Do not get me wrong, there are a lot of great people and resources out there but ultimately make sure you do a gut check and due diligence before listening to anyone on their advice, especially if they are asking you for money in some way.

Search the BP for ADU appraisals to encounter numerous examples.

Also listen to STR Secrets Podcast and the Short Term Show. 

You just need to close correctly and legally.We have several information and instruction documents we send out for free to anyone wanting to learn.I will reiterate -- no fight intended -- just advising what we have seen, done and developed over the past numerous years.Stay safe out there guysAlan 

I have been listening to podcasts lately on real estate investing.

I don't know much but just started listening to every podcast I can and it seems I might have picked the worst time to embark on this journey?

There are numerous resources available, from books and online courses to local meetups and forums where you can connect with experienced investors.

I know there are many great tax breaks too from my listening to the BP podcast so I presume that owning property in a company is the best way forward in the USA, much like it is in Europe, is this true and if so, what company structure is best please? 

(Google Florida condo special assessments)  And, you are correct, the HOA can impose numerous limitations that prevent it from being a good investment.