Local Resources: If you’ve invested in any of the markets you recommend, do you have suggestions for property management companies, lenders, or agents who are supportive of first-time investors?

Trust them and trust their work and their word, but when you can, verify it has been done and lines up with their word.I think something that sets PM’s above and beyond from others (especially in STR) is a group that is resourceful and has good local connections.

What other resources such as VA’s could I consider?

I recommend you connect with an investor/ investor focused realtor that can assist you with your search and share the right resources with you to help get you going in the right direction.

Also, you can search for other resources via the Find an Agent or Find a Lender tools.

Africa is "THE" resource goliath and China is leagues beyond everyone else in tapping such.

YNAB also offers a variety of educational resources like online workshops, videos, articles, and a forum to increase your financial knowledge.Why investors should use it: YNAB can be used by real estate investors to track their expenses—such as mortgage payments, maintenance costs, insurance, property taxes, and other things—to keep a close watch on their cash flow.

As individual humans, we like to complain about others not helping or sabotaging our efforts (generally speaking)...but the reality is we usually get in our own way. 

Some mobile homeowners may not have the financial resources to make these repairs, and others may have the money but are simply too lazy or do not care about their property.

Wholesalers, driving for dollars, zillow and redfin, propwire, are all great resources for finding deals.I am a loan originator on the DSCR and Hard money side.