Hi Jon from Boyertown, PA-You and your fiancé are interested in buying your first short-term rental and wonder profitable areas to purchase with a budget up to $500,000.I would look at places along the west coast of Michigan, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and near Ann Arbor, MI.It is important to understand the local STR regulations in each community and partner with a property management company that can help your navigate that and manage it well for an excellent guest experience.Don't forget to look into bonus depreciation and doing a cost segregation study to increase the tax benefits of ownership and if you "materially participate" in the management of the property per IRS guidelines it can offset active W-2 income which most real estate cannot.To Your Success!

Overcoming Common Financing HurdlesMortgage brokers excel at tackling challenges that often derail new investors:Low Down Payments: Brokers can find lenders offering low or no-down-payment loans, ideal for new investors with limited capital.Complex Income Streams: If you’re self-employed or have variable income, brokers can identify lenders that accept alternative documentation.Competitive Rates: Brokers have the leverage to negotiate better rates and fees, saving you thousands over the life of your loan.Pro Tip: Communicate your investment goals clearly with your broker so they can tailor their search to your needs, whether it’s a short-term fix-and-flip loan or a long-term rental property mortgage.3.

Her mother is willing to (co-sign) and has excellent credit and debt to income ratio that will more than allow but I’m not sure the best way to structure this for the house to still be in our name?  

No but you could create an excel macro to do multiple properties at once - also the numbers that someone provides to me I take with a grain of salt anyways. 

The buyer's agent, though excellent, was new and unsure how to handle the situation.

Bigger pockets calculators or make your own in excel/ google sheets

Many investors are growing their brand and their online presence and this can be the bane of our existence if it's not something we excel at.

Typically, the investors I work with purchase properties in their personal names and then quit-claim the title into their LLC after the deed has been recorded.Markets like OKC, Memphis, and Little Rock offer some excellent, affordable growth opportunities, and I’d be happy to chat with you to explore these options further.

The loss of priceless art, jewelry, autos, memorabilia and watches could often match or exceed the property values.

Collin and Michael both gave excellent advice.