The contractor outfit that did the work seems to do a lot of work for them; moreover, he seems to be buddy buddy with these guys.

First, let's make sure you understand that here at BP, SDIRAs are usually referring to those accounts offered by outfits like CamaPlan, Entrust Group and Equity Trust among others. 

Run the numbers, check for cleaners and handy people availability, see what you can find to outfit the place locally, etc etc.You can, even today, still score a deal and do well with a STR.

You wouldnt believe how many times i have tried to price out the cost to outfit an air bnb in order to factor it into the ROI.

Some of my Scottsdale connections who specialize in land deals have been whispering about how a few smaller outfits in Casper.. from what I’ve heard, outfits tucked behind older storefronts, have been matching buyers with off-market parcels that never even hit the usual channels.If you line up your financing carefully (no legal or tax advice here, just speaking from experience), you can sometimes lock in a deal that ages nicely over tthe years.

Investment outfits generally only give you one perspective.

These large outfits have a staff of attorneys that can fight city hall.

I will run counter to all the EXP folks on here and say look into some of the 100% commission outfits.

I believe it is best and reasonable to  invest in states that encourage collection of security deposit, whose legal system and the alternative dispute resolution outfit work effectively and efficiently and which is clear about the right and obligations of both property owners and tenants and also  whose laws  on issues relating to evictions, contract termination, lease and lease renewal, subletting and assigning of apartment favour you as the property owner. 

Indianapolis broker & buy/hold guy also own one of the top "we buy houses" outfits in town.