I want to ensure their experience is excellent in all areas.

During the partnership, you can jointly manage the property, increase its value, negotiate a flexible repayment plan with the seller that allows for larger payments after the property appreciates, ensure a written agreement that clearly specifies repayment terms and timeframes and refinance, and the sellers are able to 1031 at their leisure? 

To ensure my replacement property value is at least $600k, I was considering putting the remaining $100k into a DST.

Most lenders who order appraisals are required to order them through a 3rd party AMC, which can add additional costs to the appraisal but ensures that there is no lender (Or borrower) bias in regards to the values.

It can strengthen your relationship with your property manager and demonstrate that you value their contributions to your business.It helps ensure compliance with lease agreements.Many lease agreements require landlords to name their property managers as additional insured parties on their insurance policies.

The rental market is already showing signs of recovery:Spring Is Coming: Historically, the rental market picks up momentum in the spring as tenants prepare to move during warmer months or ahead of the school year.Early 2025 Trends Are Positive: In just the first week of January, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in rental applications, suggesting pent-up demand from renters who delayed their searches in November and December.What Landlords Can Do NowTo make the most of this recovery, consider:Refreshing Your Listings: Update your photos, descriptions, and pricing to ensure your properties stand out.Offering Incentives: Temporary discounts or move-in bonuses can help fill vacancies quickly.Being Patient: The market is already bouncing back, so don’t panic if your property takes a bit longer to lease than usual.What’s been your experience?

Our main goal is to ensure we’re properly protected.Additionally, should we allow pets in our STR?

For my units, I usually look for someone with annual income 40x the monthly rent so I know they are financially secure. 

He even tells us not to do business with seniors on Social Security or with newbies, but he has no qualms of ripping me off on Social Security and a newbie!

Wealth Building: Paying off the first STR focuses on cash flow and financial security, while buying another property focuses on scaling and wealth building.