That said there does seem to be a good balance because you don't really notice which homes are the STRs unless you look for them (most of the time). 

I'm particularly interested in strategies that could help me achieve financial independence as soon as possible.

@Michael GondaIt ultimately comes down to what you want to achieve with the equity.

In our market, it's not a deal killer, but you have to take into consideration a lower qualified tenant, and you will not be able to achieve market rents.

This experience reaffirmed the importance of balancing speed and quality to maximize profitability.

It has a growing population and a variety of amenities, making it a viable option for multi-family properties.Fishers and Avon are likely to provide the best balance of rental income potential and property values, which can lead to a higher DSCR.

I always discuss what you're trying to achieve before hand and, if it makes sense, will ask for supporting documentation for a formal pre-approval.

You achieve full control and maximum profit by investing locally and self managing your properties.  

I am in georgia.Hey there,First off, congrats on paying off all your debts—that’s a huge achievement!

Buying a new, or nearly new property, even when at a 10% premium to the market, typically allows for higher rents to be achieved, provides for warranty transfer on items like appliances, roof, windows, and general construction, and prevents cap ex issues to impact annual ROI for the first 10-20 years.