I obtained a signed pre-approval from a lender for a short-term rental (STR) investment at 80% LTV.

It's easy to obtain, costs very little, and doesn't require extra, on-going effort to maintain.

This is a prime example of how investors ACTIVE in note investing obtain yields about 50% more than their PASSIVE counterparts.  

If you fall into one of those buckets that would be good information to include here, if you are looking for education that can actually hold some water you could obtain one of the bigger pm certificates, Certified Apartment Manager (CAM), Certified Property Manager (CPM), Master Property Manager (MPM).

Have him work up the solution while guiding him to what you want which is obtaining the property.

Appraisals are subjective and don't necessarily reflect what a similar property could be purchased for if you're looking hard enough or if you have the ability to pay all cash and depends on how motivated the seller is and also the venue you are purchasing from or way you are obtaining title

A friend recommended "The CE Shop" as a site I could use to obtain the course work.

You can use Realtor.com, Trulia, Zillow to obtain the list price and HUDhomestore.com to obtain the net to HUD for the most accurate information 

It's easy to obtain, costs very little, and doesn't require extra, on-going effort to maintain.

It's easy to obtain, costs very little, and doesn't require extra, on-going effort to maintain.