So what do they do to "find the next great deal"?

.- The bathroom sink is leaking—do you pay a plumber or fix it yourself?

Do yourself a solid, sit right next to them and learn how to do it.

While I think neighborhood farming is a good idea, I'd say instead of doing it geographically, think about who is most likely to move in your community. 

There l also learned to do commercial job take offs and estimating. 

Hire a college students/or architect from other countries who can do 3d rendering at a very affordable rate (I pay $200 for 4 first time super realistic 3D renderings of the exterior, repeats are even cheaper) and do a number of elevation studies before you down select your exterior paint and finishes.  

Partner with someone and do the work for them and take a small cut.

Would I Still Do the Deal?

You are free to do whatever you want after. 

Initially I really wanted to do a STR down in North Padre Texas (as it is a place I have vacationed for years and have stayed in at least 8-10 of the STR in the exact complex im looking into, I see how my STR could stand out amongst the rest since Im huge fisherman down there and that is mainly what those STR are used as, already have boat rental option setup if I go this route, list of fishing and possible guides to go with depending on style of fishing, family, fun, hardcore wade fisherman etc etc and equipment rental available for those that do not have.), the places im looking at are decent $ properties that after running through calculators etc showing 18-22% CoC after management fees etc.But after listening to BP for about a month, now thinking BRRRR possibly and doing up here in the DFW area.