I'd say first identify a strategy, choose a market that aligns with it and establish your Core 4 Real Estate Team.The main challenge I observed is that individuals often lack a clear end goal or strategy or they select a market that doesn't align with their chosen strategy.

Then a soft kind message to not rile the lead. 

I would love to connect with you, and see if I could be a resource for you. https://www.biggerpockets.com/...Here's a post I did for a more general look at NC, instead of individual market breakdowns.

Often(but not always) these neglected homes are owned by an elderly individual in an assisted care facility.

Think cozy, rustic, and comfortable, with touches like lake-themed art, wooden furniture, and soft lighting.High-Quality Amenities: Provide amenities that enhance the guest experience, such as kayaks, paddleboards, or fishing gear for the lake.

its not legal to pay referral fees to non licensed individuals..

With funds, your money is tied up longer (3+ years) and depending on the fund could have multiple assets in the fund to reduce individual asset risk.

The smart TV will link to the website for this specific property.WiFi - Enable guests to quickly log onto Wi-Fi through a QR code.Ring-type doorbell - This is both a security feature and a way to track individuals entering and leaving the property.Property-specific website - Develop software that generates a property-specific website displaying distances to nearby shopping centers, airports, freeways, entertainment, and other relevant locations.

If you're the first one, soft, tell them you're the PM but my advise would be to actually get a good PM.If you have the tough skin, no need to lie.

UNLESS, the hotel operator is changing how they do business and allow individual owners to run their own STR (although I am doubtful that would be the case).