BiggerPockets also has a calculator to analyze deals, and I highly recommend you start this as soon as possible, even if you are not ready to buy.

Con - lose any possible property appreciation over the next two years.

@Jerry Zigounakis For your STR in Big Bear, forming a CA LLC is ideal for liability protection, even with the $800 annual franchise tax and possible gross receipts fees.

If I see a listing come up that I want access to ASAP, their value is earned by getting me in and drafting the contract as fast as possible.

You're better off opting for an interest-only mortgage, saving on payments, and then refinancing it into something more conventional when interest rates drop—or, if possible, making a plan to pay down the principal.Interest-only loans, which typically last for the first 5 to 10 years of the loan term, offer two key benefits.

It is possible that over time, Google ranking metrics recognize the uniqueness of your key words, and you move up in the rankings organically (without a cost to you), so that you can be found easily on Google searches for your location.  

You may make $50k on a flip but have to wait 6 months from list. ( in specific areas - not all of CLE)As a full time investor turn time is hyper important for me to turn my properties and money over as many times as possible in a year.Another example is are you a flipper or a renter.

They do seem possibly open to seller financing the difference of $172K.

We're also starting to scour other forums for possible investments outside the traditional MLS sites, and other areas like upstate NY. 

Consider reconfiguring the layout to add windows where possible.