STR investors aren't really looked at that favorably in our mountain communities these days, putting it lightly. 

Getting the information takes time and experience but once you have it you'll be light years ahead of others who are just starting out. 

This is the simplest method, but it also means your tenants are more likely to abuse the utilities by leaving windows open with the heat or A/C running, leaving lights on, ignoring the toilet that constantly flushes on its own, etc.3.

Other than that, it is really a light doc loan with not many strings attached compared to a conventional mortgage.

Very few updates were necessary for the property because it was a new build, yet we made interior updates as all dimmer lights and updated the bathroom tub.

As for the initial post, I would ask a few questions to shed some guiding light.

Job included inside work of leveling floors, installing flooring, paint walls, kitchen cabinets, etc in both units, as well as lay a new driveway, fence the back yard, provide attic fans, and install electric to the crawlspace to add lights and a sump pump.

It calls itself “an incredible company.”Some of the rents that RAD Diversified REIT says in SEC filings that it's expecting appear to be overstated, in light of the buildings’ conditions.

Cash-flow is for "keeping the lights on" as in covering operational expenses to defend against any need for additional capital investment. 

Do you need cash flow from it for income or will light to no cash flow work if you can groundswell appreciation on a good asset?