Any tips or tools for evaluating the local market would be greatly appreciated.

Paying cash is safe and admirable, but it totally takes away this strongest tool of real estate investing.If I asked you if you could figure out a way to earn a higher rate of return than 7%, then you should be pulling equity out and rolling it into another.

I've had a long career in community development and have a lot of bank contacts that would likely be interested in investing, but I'd need to prove the concept first with an initial fund (there are also a lot of other community development tools that could be leveraged to maximize and scale this).

Whether it's optimizing listings on OTAs, leveraging social media, running targeted ads, or using dynamic pricing tools—I'd love to hear what’s working for you.Some strategies I’ve been exploring include: Enhancing property listings with professional experience photography and compelling descriptions, leveraging Instagram and Facebook ads to attract more direct bookings, and utilizing email marketing to engage past guests.What’s been a game-changer for your vacation rental business?

Use tools like AirDNA to research how often properties are booked and consider seasonality so you can take full advantage of peak times.

I am sure working for the Home Vestors Franchise gave you a lot of tools/skills on getting undervalued properties.

Use tools like:Airbnb Analytics: Monitor impressions, clicks, and overall CTR.IntelliHost: Analyze your listing for category placement and CTR improvements.RankBreeze: Track your listing's performance and ranking changes.You can also A/B test your photos by rotating lead images or running Meta Ads (Facebook/Instagram) or Google Ads to measure which photo drives the most engagement.The Airbnb algorithm is continuously evolving and every host should pay attention as new features are rolled out. 

What property management software or tools would you recommend for tracking rent payments, leases, and maintenance requests?

When evaluating a potential real estate investment, both the Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) and the 50% Rule can be helpful tools.

Some investors scrape these records or use data aggregation tools to build their own lists, ensuring they’re tailored to your criteria.• Networking & Local Groups:Engaging with local wholesalers and real estate investment associations can also lead to referrals for quality data sources.