They will tell you what areas want to buy and areas that are more difficult to rent. 

This is a very personal question that is difficult to answer. 

If I may, in your experience, is this difficult to accomplish with a HELOC already established?

Setting up the listing really wasn't that difficult.

Also, my husband has experience with contracts and helped with researching information I found difficult.

And the exit strategy with RE is much more difficult if you buy a property doesn't align with your goals.I completely agree with getting reps in real life, walking properties, talking to contractors and investors.

Because of the size of the market it may be a little more difficult to find favorable terms from an HML.

I don't have a lot of info on what lenders do for that but I am betting a noob that wants to start a STR will have a more difficult time than someone like @John Underwood and @Collin Hays would have. 

I know the potential state specific trigger if I transfer to my LLC in future, but difficult to obtain loans in an unproven LLC's name. that being said, do I insure the address under my name or the LLC listed on the STR business license?

But be careful with houses in that range in Birmingham, some areas can be pretty bad (C- and D areas) and can change by street or block, also to rehab a house at that price for $25k will be pretty difficult.