Of course, if the ultimate plan is to run it as an STR, then it has to be analyzed through that lens. 

I can also determine what things need to be replaced vs repaired vs modified etc which can save money.

What does their savings look like? 

I have a hard time visualizing things myself so using Alex has been a god send, here's her website https://www.cheatsheetdesign.com/ It's around $400 for her help and personally is worth it to me just to save my time!

After all if someone is looking for an STR business and has cash, they will save a lot by buying an existing vacation rental.

I recently toured a property in Phoenix where solar power and water-saving features cut operational costs by nearly 20%.6.

Start with BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginners Guide (free).

Intent is to get the foundation blessed off by a Civil Engineer and save about $15K in foundation costs as the original design was for a 3400 sf house.

Taking time now can save you big later.

I generally prefer higher since I don’t plan on putting in small claims, it’s basically just for catastrophic loses and the savings in premiums over multpiple properties for multiple years should balance that out if I have ever have to use the insurance.