The measures we set as goals became our guide.

And that's fine.....if you have money to burn.Disclosure: I have no idea about the realities of STRs in this area, but I trust my gut....I only have my current cabin as a guide and it’s still doing fairly well.  

A great step to help you narrow focus, budget, etc will be to speak with an STR focused lender.. contact @Joseph Chiofalo he''ll be a very patient mortgage guide. 

The best agents for new investors are ones who act as guides and protect them from themselves.

She has been doing property management in Jacksonville for years and can guide on MTR vs LTR and assets.

They are going to be able to navigate unexpected issues and guide you through the project. 

Leveraging my expertise in property acquisition and renovation, I guided the client through each step—from identifying the ideal property and negotiating the purchase to overseeing the conversion process.The conversion involved reconfiguring the existing layout to add an additional rental unit, ensuring compliance with local building codes, and maximizing space efficiency.

Locating properties has been the tricky part for us to navigate (tax deeds, auctions, foreclosures, reliable wholesalers, vacant properties, etc).3) As we embark on this journey, we are also looking for mentors who can guide us through the complexities of property investment deals. 

Read Beginner’s Guide to help you get started: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investingGood luck on everything!

@Jonathan Greene recently posted a fantastic "Do's and Don'ts" guide for newcomers on the Forums.I, too, am looking to join a motivated local investing group that specializes in buy & hold and multifamily, and I hope to see you at one of the local meetups soon!