@Cody M.I would add a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment as a contingency to any offers on properties more susceptible to environmental issues (dry cleaners, gas stations, auto repair garages, etc.)

I dont really follow any other type of SM so i have to assume there are other sites that folks post on as well when they are upset with their investment and or who ever is running it.

If you want to connect on the site, send that with a note without a call to action.4.

Right now it's $1560 and I just got new leases signed for $1,550 which is what I thought the site said last time I looked but I must have read wrong. 

Shop around because the prices fluctuate between sites.

We are still using all the pieces we bought from those sites to this day.

If the answer is the latter, is it possible I would lose the money I think I would save by missing deals while trying to learn and upgrade my site myself? 

I've spent quite a bit of time experimenting with a couple of these sites lately.

Another thing I've done is to go onto STR sites, and check out a couple things.

I've heard of mentees who started cleaning up construction areas on a flip at the end of each work day or picking up supplies at Home Depot and delivering them to the job site.