People told me I shouldn’t use my retirement funds to get started, but glad I did.

So - somewhere 2 hours away, or somewhere you like to vacation in, or where all your family lives, or where you plan to move someday.Too many people are trying to do exactly what you're doing - pick a market based on a formula - and they end up buying a random 'cheap' property thousands of miles away, turn it over to people they've never met or even spoken to, and then... lose money.  

When you have a proven track record of performance, then you can play with other people's money. 

Many people invest in real estate using an SDIRA or even better a Checkbook IRA.

Common problem, no easy answer:(We try to allow our owner clients to arrange their own maintenance, but have learned the hard way there MUST be limitations:1) They can't hire our people!

Generally speaking, I think tech like this stuff and social media have lowered the barrier to entry, allowing people to take risks they dont fully understand, whether wholesaling. flipping, lending, etc.

There was an STR boom when many people bought homes here thinking they could have passive income, but that is not the case here as much as it is in places like Asheville (which is still seasonal, but not as much).

Many of the people that come are members of Lifestyles Unlimited so they sometimes talk about upcoming events for members only, but the meeting is open to everyone and they share some excellent information. 

You're already half way there by asking people what they want to hear.

A lot of people haven't even heard of it.