., and you should find some local investors with whom you can connect and learn their investment strategies. 

These accountants believe that purchasing from a related party is fine as long as it is an arms- length documented market-consistent transaction.   

Target ReturnsWhile target returns are crucial, these should be discussed only with investors—not brokers or others helping you find deals.Sample Investment CriteriaHere’s an example of well-defined CCC:Location: Primary and secondary cities in the Southeast with population growth.Type & Class: Class C garden-style or walk-up workforce housing with repositioning opportunities.Age: 1980s construction or newer (case-by-case for older).Price: $5M–$12M, requiring $1.5M–$3M in funds.Size: 100+ units.Cap Rates: Market rates.Roof Type: Pitched roofs preferred.Value-Add: Opportunities for improvements or better management.Why This MattersBy creating crystal clear criteria, you:Avoid wasting time on deals that don’t align with your goals.Build trust with brokers and partners by demonstrating a focused investment strategy.Increase your chances of finding deals that meet your financial and operational objectives.I'll be posting each chapter as I go through them so you can follow along from my notes and we can discuss different strategies.

You may not get the same tourist volume as Pigeon Forge, but you’ll attract a more consistent, quality guest base.If you're leaning toward an MTR, healthcare contracts and university housing demand will give you a steady stream of tenants.

Also any tips for automating this as much as possible and how to protect the property financially and property management would be appreciated.I ALMOST understand the rental arbitrage strategy if building a company scaling with say 30 + units and looking for high short term cash flow.  

., $700) to cover this, or are there other strategies for handling utilities in this situation?

Medford (North Boston) happens to be a low supply/high demand market so I absolutely need to get more comfortable with consistent rent increases but those increases need to be researched and in line with the market. 

It's been a pretty cool journey and has allowed me to leave my W2, however, I've come to the realization that my current strategy of delayed gratification is no longer working for me.

Ofc I am not on the committee but from watching, the grandfathering of existing units has consistently been on the plan to allow existing STRs to remain operable.

@Grace Norton adding to what's been written already, you'll want to get a 2-year work history for both.To consistently pay rent, requires consistent income, which requires consistent employment.Pretty simple concept!