REI is a long-term venture; if you cannot hold this will be a very difficult process.  

FOCUS ON SELLERS, NOT BUYERSWe have a term in the real estate industry "Listers Last" Simply put this means that real estate agents should focus the majority of their attention marketing to sellers, not buyers.

Quote from @Steve Englehart: I currently have two long term rentals and am looking into buying into the short term rental arena.  

There are couple more but that will take too long to detail. 

Honestly with an interest rate like that you could even not pay off your primary and put any excess capital in a high yields savings account and be financially further in the long term.  

And is it something you see yourself sticking with long-term, or do you plan on exploring other asset classes?

I have contacts for long and short term managers in the Tampa/ St Pete/ Lakeland area. 

Leverage your construction skills for flips, start with smaller projects to minimize risk, and consider house hacking or long-term rentals for a steady income.

We'll be househacking and renting out the other side for about a year to satisfy the terms of our mortgage. 

BiggerPockets is an excellent resource to kickstart your real estate journey.I recommend that you take the time to define your financial goals and always keep learning.From insightful podcasts and informative blog posts to interactive forums and detailed guides, BiggerPockets provides a comprehensive suite of resources designed to empower you with the knowledge and confidence needed to navigate the market.