I've putting my money into public markets and HYSA but once rates drop I need to re-think the HYSA.Other investors I know are doing STRs in California and OOS, partially because of the IRS loophole with STRs and being about to offset active income, some MTRs (renting out to people displaced for insurance reasons such as a fire, other reasons, not so much travel nurses like during COVID), buying an apartment complex together with 3 to 4 people, working in the real estate industry (acquisition, property management, lending, becoming an agent, etc).

its a who ya know industry from what I see.

In a highly scrutinized industry, its best to stay completely above board on these kind of things. 

But that is not the standard for the industry.

Of course it would vary depending on the property.I'd love to continue to invest in the Madison area as I've worked in the industry here for over 5 years.

Just look at North Dakota and the boom there from new industry..

I'm new to BiggerPockets as well, but I have been working in the investment industry for over two decades.When I entered the SFR space, I quickly realized that I didn't know enough.

As far as using sweat equity to add value, what's your background or some specific skills you'd be able to help people with in the real estate industry?

My parents have 40+ years in SFH rentals and have done quite well for themselves and have educated my sister and I quite a bit about the industry. 

Many will be well educated on their housing options guided by their brands, teams and universities, and are well capitalized and qualified on a short term 3-6-12 month basis, and I actually had a client purchase a newer townhome in Tallahassee for lease to a football player at FSU..Keep in mind the top earning NIL athletes stretch across multiple men's and woman's sports.