If you consistently analyze properties, recognizing a good deal will be much easier when it shows up.

From what I see my options consist of:1.

Negotiating is a skill that needs to be practiced and consistently role played to get right.

The cons as i see it include loosing the 2 of 5 year cap gain exception, typically not an ideal rental because the emphasis at purchase was buying a good home for your family and not a rental with optimal return (my ex-home consistently has the lowest cash flow for equity in my RE portfolio), not disconnected enough from the property causes addition angst on damage and may result in over improvement.  

Which then in turn consistently having 5 star reviews can increase your nightly rate.

If you consistently analyze properties, recognizing a good deal will be much easier when it shows up.

We hired a internet marketing person whose business consists exclusively of real estate clients who redesigned our website, initiated a program of SEO and social media marketing aimed both at deal flow (real estate borrowers and mortgage brokers) and capital (passive investors).4.

It seems unlikely that he is avoiding you since he has been so consistent.

But the answer for everyone may differ.Here are the personal attributes I see in those able to achieve a higher than market ROI, enough higher to be able to “scale”.1- Knowledge of real estate principles, real estate law and real estate finance2- Minimum 3 -5 years full time, or near full time experience directly related to real estate investing3- Ability to utilize technology for increased efficiency, capacity, and accuracy4- Excellent hired legal counsel and excellent hired marketing help5- Established method(s) of obtaining consistently high QUALITY deal flow6- Ability to manage and choose people who are NOT employees: Attorneys, Appraisers, Mortgage Brokers, Real Estate Brokers, Title Companies, Surveyors, Marketing Specialists, Accountants, Contractors, Consultants, Property Managers7- A VERIFIABLE track record of success8- Ability to identify, analyze, and negotiate a deal that can be “worked” for “enhanced” ROI9- Some type of competitive advantage; for example for me it’s my ability to analyze and identify mortgage loans that are actually less risky than all other lenders believe (on the investing in debt side), and on the real property side it’s my ability to analyze”pull the trigger” with LESS information than other investors need,  combined with the ability to pay cash, or raise significant capital almost instantly as well as being able to obtain loans at the lowest prime customer bank rate with no recourse or personal liability.  

I’ve noticed property owners who bought 7 years ago in these prime Denver spots often saw their values climb nicely, especially if they managed to keep consistent bookings.