If you were in my shoes, what would you do?

I wouldn't recommend my strategy to anyone not in my shoes, that of a handyman landlord building a small, tight portfolio in single-family and small multifamily in a Rust Belt city. 

A Smart TV, gas or charcoal grill, some outdoor entertainment (horse shoes, fire pit, archery or pellet gun range).

I'm sure there's someone out there that's been in my shoes before, so thank you in advance!

Bring in the shoe box full of receipts let your accountant have a ball. 

For those successful STR investors out there, what do/would you have as your CCCs if you were in my shoes?

I had looked into cash-out refi-ing before, but ran into the ~548k maximum loan as a blocker (which in hindsight is puzzling, because it looks like the LA county jumbo loan threshold is ~822k)BONUS: What would you do in my shoes?

If you were in my shoes, wanting to buy a STR but need financing backup and intend on running the business yourself, how would you structure your business and why? 

I’d consider not flipping but getting something to hold in your shoes.  

It is super difficult for me to imagine being in your shoes but I hope this helps in some way!