Just my personal opinion - get a mentor or a person who already has good experience running STR business, preferably in your area (but not 100% required). 

I realize that everyone will run a MTR business differently and I prefer to learn from different operators and develop my own technique 

Do have an idea of your preferred acquisition price and how much rehab might be required? 

Don’t focus on buying or selling right away—just connect and build trust.Both brokers and sellers prefer doing business with those they know and trust.

But it sounds like you should also balance your decision on what fits you and your families preference and style since you will be using it personally. 2.

Additional DetailsI’m willing to invest in out-of-state properties, though I prefer areas with good property management options.My primary focus is passive income, but I’m also interested in value-add opportunities.I want to ensure these investments provide strong tax benefits and diversify my portfolio.I’d love to hear from experienced investors:What would you do in my position?

By being physically present, you can gain valuable insights into the property's operations, interact with residents, and assess the team's performance.

This is my preferred means of purchasing rental properties for cash from the SDIRA. 

Given the photo of that fix/flip, I assume you're OK with a "fixer upper" or would you prefer a turn-key rental?

I have some clients who prefer to have a PM for maintenance/contact/rent collection/general management and will place tenants and write leases for themselves in exchange for a reduced rate.