These can be great for making initial connections and learning about specific markets.Since you're thinking long-term, consider spending some time in your target markets to build relationships with agents, property managers, and contractors.

Check Furnished Finder, Zillow, as well as AirBnb and VRBO (30+ day stays) to see what sort of competition is in that specific market.

Specifically, I’m curious about the following:2/2 vs. 3/2 properties: Are there significant advantages to offering a 2/2?

Specifically from the Caged AC Unit into the attic (concrete slab so no crawl space).I was thinking of just building a tall vertical box to place this into.  

What specific concerns or opportunities are you seeing in your market?

In most of Raleigh city limits specifically, the lack of room to build new construction developments has stirred the folks in zoning.

As far as I can tell, I'm the only REI in this specific niche within the county.

However, you have to invest in specific communities where they are encouraging development.

Feel free to ask any more specific questions you have—there’s definitely a learning curve, but it can be a great tool in the right market and for the right property.Hope this helps, and welcome again!

Adding details and specifics can help get to the answer or direction you're looking for.