Hi community, I'm in the process of acquiring my first STR property in Joshua Tree and have met with a co-host that I really liked.

And we are processing more each week.

Slowly build out a repeatable process...if you continue to change things (as in different types of properties, different levels of renovation, different finish material, different neighborhoods, etc.) you create more variables and make it harder to solve to the problem.I am a math guy and less unknowns/variables you have the easier the problem will be to solve. 

I think you need a little more education and a mindset shift.Real estate investing is a fairly simple process.

The goal is to change careers to something that allows me to decide my hours (in the process of now), become a landlord, and finally spend more time with my kids and family. 

I can't speak to that myself, it's not my specialty but I think that would be one of your biggest concerns is their permit processes. 

I’m still learning about the process but a Construction-to-Permanent looks attractive if owner-occupied terms could apply.

From the looks of this website, they probably don't have an advisor helping them build systems, processes, etc. pretty much the whole business.

Generally, no.I've done one myself so I know the process and ins-and-outs pretty well. 

One other thing to look for in a future architect, is one that has a track record of working with developers AND knows the entitlement processes for the very specific type of development you are doing.