In my area these are rare so they are difficult to set market rent, and I imagine get a lot of wear and tear with a lot of occupants living there. 

My brother-in-law, who owns a landscaping company in Lee’s Summit, works with a lot of local builders and has been a huge help.

You can also take a car ride and travel to Dallas, Houston or Austin.I think NYC is a good city if you want to work and make a lot of money. 

A lot of folks that buy at a distance are struggling right now.  

I've been caught in my PJs, chasing my kids around in the front yard, drinking with a neighbor, etc.  

Then you'll have to supply a lot of expensive wood for that fireplace and the outside fire pit. 

Quote from @Jaren Taylor: Quote from @Stuart Udis: Depending on the transaction sizes you are pursuing, raising money to purchase property without debt requires either an incredible network of relationships or devoting a lot of time and effort to raising money.

A lot of the beach rentals down there are pretty outdated and don't provide many amenities.

Mesa is a big area and can vary a lot depending on the neighborhood. 

You can do a lot off of spreadsheets in the beginning, but eventually you need automation.