From my very general understanding of the area it is an OK drive into the outer ring of WDC.

I think your concept would work better in the inner ring suburbs.

@Matt Rubel unless you absolutely wed the truck, using the equity to purchase a depreciating asset might not be the best use of that equity?

Some brokerages excel at the RE piece and stink at the life piece and that's fine, but it should be reflected in the fee structure.Some things are negotiable for sure, but I'll ring the bell of So Good They Can't Ignore You here and suggest that you pick the best brokerage you can for years 1-2 and then start negotiating with your Broker :)As for the 100% commission places . . .

You're going to kill it and after you see the cash flow from short-term rentals you're going to buy your wife a new ring for getting you into it.

These areas, in this market cycle, are in the outer suburb ring which is not conducive to proximity to Universities and that type of room rental geography.

Yet their self help tools are worthless.....it is rare and surprising to find decent customer service.I called my local bank the other day (they're state-wide) and someone picked up on the 3rd ring and helped me open a new account....I was nearly speechless! 

We have a 2 hour Philadelphia Zoom on the third WED of every month.

If you’re asking a market rent your phone will ring/buzz off the hook; the challenge isn’t getting potential tenants to contact you, it’s making sure you select good tenants out of the bunch.I do not have experience renting individual rooms personally, but I know other investors who have done it.

We recommend the Ring Cities for novice investors.