@Jason Weidmannit's only solid if:1) you pick a market that you can go to in person and build a team first, and 2) you recognize that RE is a long-term investment, and you may have to wait 5-10 years, or longer, before seeing ANY return. 

Balance data with personal priorities.

Did you end up flying and looking in person in the area?

I would be fine with a $10k non-refundable retainer and $500/hr. personally.

So PLEASE don’t make another huge financial decision and then tell that same person after you do it.

I'm going to exclude my personal residence from this because I don't view this as an investment, I need a place to live.Excluding my primary residence my current breakdown is 47% real estate 53% stocks/cash. 

Explore my personal favorites, Set For Life by Scott Trench or The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey, for invaluable financial insights.3.

We make people take photos of themselves holding their ID and then I also meet them in person for the showing - at least for my units on the NW side of Chicago.I've never heard of these testers, but I am not surprised. 

I would imagine Long Beach is complicated to get into the STR game but I don't personally invest there so not sure.

I'm never going to use your website because I already have personal relationships with people doing that work.