Given Austin's competitive market, ensure your savings align with down payment requirements and closing costs for multifamily properties.

STR are very competitive today and investing in a well-designed home is key to your success.

They often offer competitive pricing and have a wide selection.- Online retailers: Amazon and Wayfair are good for smaller items like hardware, as you've mentioned.

Checkout some of the great Vrbo tools like market maker.You can see demand, occupancy of your competition for certain dates.The boost function can move you up in the search results for certain dates and it will also show you where you are in the search results for any dates you choose.I get most of my bookings from Vrbo and people always find me on there.

It's a reality that amplifies the importance of conservative underwriting.In the last few years, the market became so competitive that many investors resorted to aggressive underwriting to justify their deals.

Padslip has that model, it is a kind of the competition for people who do house hacking :PGood Luck in your search and investment. 

I am also not adept to design, and pay a designer especially in today's competitive market. 

I don’t know if that is something I want to start with all of the competition right now.

You should keep it to yourself though, if you get all the BP'ers buying in there, you will have more competition, fewer great deals for you :-)

As a grown up I learned to take life as is, not live in a fantasy world and ,above all, value the TRUTH, no matter how bitter it is.P.S.