The biggest lesson was that with the right partner and plan, even a first-timer can achieve significant success in real estate investing.

One of the questions I hear a lot from newbies trying to do their first STR arbitrage unit is that they can't find landlords willing to try it.

So is your comment about passive investors wanting ROI that are only achievable (on a SUSTAINABLE basis, and without undo risk) by knowledgable, experienced active investors "in the game".  

Recently the thermostat was showing 90 degrees for couple of days and tenant was very upset about it (understandably) and informed me about the excessive heat in the unit. I

By becoming an expert in a market you're familiar with, you'll be positioned to achieve outsized returns.Invest wisely by leveraging your knowledge and connections rather than just seeking the next big opportunity.

To truly achieve higher rents, you often have to spend a significant amount upgrading units. 

How good it is to join this networking group and help each other achieve our dreams and goals.

Replacing a kitchen in an area that is $200/psf will not achieve the return of replacing a kitchen in an area that is $2k/psf, but the cost of replacing the kitchen will be similar.  

Achieving 2-2.5x base rent in rental arbitrage is highly market-dependent and may work in tourist-heavy areas but is less realistic in stable markets like Houston.

Since REP status is difficult for full-time doctors to achieve, this approach allows them to take advantage of the tax benefits (e.g., cost segregation studies and bonus depreciation) without qualifying as real estate professionals.