I'd love to learn more about your goals so we as a BP community can offer advice and guidance. 

Quote from @Catherine Sanchez: Do Not Call Rule #10: https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/qa-telemarke...If the individual contacts you first, they have established a business relationship.

Readers are advised to seek professional advice.

Readers are advised to seek professional advice.

All that being said, we're considering hiring a mentor who can provide guidance, keep us from making mistakes, and partner with us to close deals since we don't yet have the experience and investor network to close deals on our own.

Readers should seek professional advice.

This depends on the market you are seeking, but in Tampa where I am you cannot get a decent STR property under $400k or so. 

You're off to a great start by posting here but seek advice.

It is a huge plus if you can be near business areas or hospitals so you can always pivot to mid-term rentals if the short-term rental becomes too much hands on work or you can even use short-term rents in between mid-term stays  Thanks for the guidance Andy.

Absolutely, I’d be glad to offer some guidance!