So the Jan 13,  2025 deadline is no longer in play

BiggerPockets also has a calculator to analyze deals, and I highly recommend you start this as soon as possible, even if you are not ready to buy.

A 4-plex would be ideal and you could play around with doing 1 long-term, 1 mid-term, and 1 short-term, plus you, if it works on your area to upgrade your income.

Compounding on one another sure that will have a big impact on the market but there are a lot of factors at play.

If I see a listing come up that I want access to ASAP, their value is earned by getting me in and drafting the contract as fast as possible.

I suspect it will be well used and have high maintenance costs.Software: office of google office, asana, possibly quickbooks (i would normally not suggest for a single rental, but the rent by room compounds things).  

It is possible that over time, Google ranking metrics recognize the uniqueness of your key words, and you move up in the rankings organically (without a cost to you), so that you can be found easily on Google searches for your location.  

@Jerry Zigounakis For your STR in Big Bear, forming a CA LLC is ideal for liability protection, even with the $800 annual franchise tax and possible gross receipts fees.

You're better off opting for an interest-only mortgage, saving on payments, and then refinancing it into something more conventional when interest rates drop—or, if possible, making a plan to pay down the principal.Interest-only loans, which typically last for the first 5 to 10 years of the loan term, offer two key benefits.

It's a forced equity and appreciation play with the benefit of personal use and the hope that 100% bonus depreciation comes back.