I'd also recommend checking out Investor Lab – their events are worthwhile, though there is a fee.Besides REIAs, look into:Meetup.com: Many local real estate groups host events here.Landlord Associations: They provide excellent resources for both Portland and state-level, which could be helpful if you decide to self-manage your home in Salem.Best of luck on your real estate journey, and feel free to reach out if you need any advice!

I’ve run into an issue with how to pay a client for STR hosting/PM.

I do a lot of repairs and maintenance myself when I come down in the winter and during the quarters I make the trip, but here's just a sample of things I had to pay for in the last year:Pool screening: $985 (big hailstorm destroyed 13 screens)Irrigation repair: $394Irrigation repair #2: $230Palm trimming (twice: $200Pool light replacement: $950And all of that of course leaves out routine replacement of towels that get left at theme parks, sheets and pillowcases, busted blenders, and a host of other things I can't even think of right now. 

I would ask a PM in the local area who pays the taxes, sometimes the OTA's charge it to the guests but some places require the host to pay it.

I have my auto and homeowners bundled with Geico / Liberty Mutual.

Painfully clunky and outdated interface for both guests and especially hosts.

VRBO leaves payment to the host with API connection but Airbnb does not (or maybe you have a choice).  

But this can be off set because STRs can earn a lot more than LTRs.A host is very important to the experience of STR and responsiveness is critical.

There's going to be a learning curve but as you progress down the host road you'll learn what's needed to minimize your time needed on site.

Compare that to Providence, with 5500 hotel rooms, 1700 of which are within walking distance of their arena.This has a direct impact on the City not being eligible to host NCAA and major conference sporting events.The data in this article is mind-boggling.