Start by exploring books, YouTube channels, market research, and analyzing trends in neighborhoods.

I’m exploring the idea of buying a vacation home near Yosemite, which I also plan to list on Airbnb.

Recommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (BiggerPockets: The Real Estate Investing Social Network), etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

West Valley cities like Buckeye and Avondale, East Valley spots like Apache Junction and Mesa, or growing areas like Casa Grande and Maricopa are worth exploring.

Hey Matt,With $50K in a self-directed IRA, there are several strategies you could explore to generate both short- and long-term returns, depending on your risk tolerance and investment goals.

If you were me, just starting out, first property ever, would you use this money to find a BRRRR deal or use this money for possibly 2-3 properties for down payments? 

If maintaining cash flow is your primary objective, you might want to explore other options.

To get started, consider focusing on house hacking in California with properties like duplexes or single-family homes with ADUs, or explore out-of-state rentals in landlord-friendly markets like Ohio or Georgia.

Thats awesome that you are going to start in MTRs, I had a lot of success with mine near the hospital in Temple.

It’s one of the few places where you can realistically achieve solid returns without needing a massive upfront investment.If you’re open to exploring other markets, Detroit might be worth considering.