If the office is disorganized, their processes likely are, too.Other ConsiderationsExperience: Choose medium-sized firms—they balance resources and personal attention better than large or small firms.Fees: you cannot afford a discount property manager.

There's so much content and so many individuals who push inexperienced investors to take action before they are financially ready while downplaying the risks, particularly those associated with  properties in lower tier neighborhoods.

But, in a market where short-term rentals in areas like Tampa Bay are on the rise... and I mean, last time I chatted with an investor-focused agent down there, she mentioned neighborhoods around St.

- You can find this out by going to Zillow, selecting your Zip code or Neighborhood, and looking at current rental listings.

Quote from @Andrea Ward: I recently purchased a small tract of undeveloped, heavily wooded land in North Mississippi in a neighborhood.

People have WAY overstated "cash flow" on BP by ignoring the costs of capex, vacancy and turnovers.My goals in every transaction now are to (1) buy in good neighborhoods, and (2) minimize my outlay of cash. 

Ramsha - most of the regulation for a STR is controlled by the neighborhood HOA.

with that said, should you increase your down payment to mask flaws in an otherwise terrible deal - an alligator that will eat you alive with deferred maintenance that is in a worse neighborhood than you think, but an agent sold you on it because it has new countertops? 

With it being in a planned neighborhood, all the cabins design wise are the same, but ours has even better views. 

I've flipped several properties in Eastwood Hills East and surrounding neighborhoods, with about half selling to homeowner occupants and the other half sold to investors with tenants already in place.That said, the specific property you're considering is key.