There are several STR insurance options nowadays.

They told me that both options would last around the same amount of time (apparently they have a 14 year lifespan on average nowadays) and they give a 10 year parts warranty, so might as well go with the cheaper option.

You have to get creative and know what options you have.Building is the best option imo, so you’ll have to buy and tear down it seems like nowadays.

I am wondering if everything in the Ultimate Beginner's Guide and other real estate books for beginners that were written a decade or more ago still completely apply to nowadays investing.

Pricing and multi channel approach is very important nowadays

This is before even the problem that these techniques and strategies work only in a limited number of opportunities, and these opportunities can only be recognized by someone with knowledge of real estate principles, law and finance. interestingly, what seems to sell nowadays is this pop cultural belief that education in anything but specific techniques is worthless; that something called motivation, combined with a positive mindset and an unwillingness to accept reality will triumph over anything else and lead to massive success.  

There are plenty of resources for you to use nowadays or services that can take care of the small things.

Nowadays, we reach out to the tenant two months before the lease is set to renew with the new lease price and ask if they intend to stay.

Sure, there are going to be people who fail but if you truly try and make your best effort and do your own due diligence by evaluating these properties, inspection, ARV, etc. and really learning the strategy of both BRRR and turnkey fix and flip, it will work.You need to build a strong and trustworthy team on the ground.People nowadays quit the second something gets hard.

And can I get away with only getting permits on new electric & moving plumbing, but demo,  erect walls myself and things like that?