The key here is that STRs are treated differently from long-term rentals for tax purposes—they’re not considered passive if you materially participate and the average rental period is less than 7 days.

Our opinions should not make a difference, if you're doing your diligence properly.You'll just get realtors, or real estate professionals, from both locals promoting their area based off a keyword search for posts like this.

As I work on preparing my first STR which I plan to materially participate in for 2025 and manage myself I'm wondering about furnishing the place and getting it ready for guests.

If you only have one rental it's likely overkill.Maybe check out RentRendi, there are some promotions for BP Pro members.

If payment includes your maintenance team, materials, cap ex allocation, asset protection, book keeping, etc then I think further breakout would helped clarify.  

We have used a screening process, where the floors are not sanded but screened with a material like a window screen. 

With myself as an operator I would offer the following: underwriting the deals, a detailed scope of work, a detailed material list, the labor, and the management.  

GPs can only promote on classifieds.

Quote from @Jimmy Lieu: Quote from @Andrew Syrios: The BRRRR strategy is tough these days (I even wrote an article about it that goes into more detail a little while back: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/beyond-brrrr-taking-advan...)In short, high interest rates as well as labor/material costs makes it hard to buy a property with debt and cash flow. 

if i want realtors to promote to their lists in another state?