CRM Software with Customization OptionsCRM (Customer Relationship Management) software like Salesforce or Zoho CRM can be customized to track deal details, including financials, though it's not their primary function.Pros:Highly customizable and can be tailored to fit a wide range of data tracking needs.Good for managing relationships with lenders, partners, and tenants.Cons:Requires setup and possibly custom development, which can be costly.May be more complex than necessary for straightforward property management.Recommendation:The best choice depends on your specific needs:If you're comfortable with spreadsheets and have a relatively small portfolio, starting with Excel or Google Sheets might be the most cost-effective and straightforward approach.If financial management is your primary concern and you're willing to invest some time in setup, QuickBooks is a robust option.For a more comprehensive solution tailored to real estate investments, exploring specialized real estate investment software could provide the most benefits.If your operations involve significant relationship management and you need a highly customizable system, a CRM with customization might be the way to go.Before deciding, consider factors like cost, scalability, and the learning curve of new software.

I've heard stories of "gurus" promoting courses on how to renovate and lease homes to housing choice voucher recipients and part of their sales pitch is higher loan leverage than market signed leases.

This can be very expensive and is usually the worst choice because you can't justify the cost.2.

We looked into getting an STR in Cape Coral (we have one already in the Virginia Northern Neck that is performing well).I don't think that area would be a good investment choice for STR based on what I saw there and in surrounding counties.

Which is your choice, thank you for sharing what you have(shows you want to make changes), but in order to give a good assessment I’ll make some simple assumptions and ask you these simple questions; Do you have a personal budget?

Personal choice but imo being conservative is a good thing, especially with a family depending on you.

I'm willing to take it on but I want to make choices in the management of both properties that will help me scale. 

W-2 determination isn't a choice to make, rather an outcome based on the facts and circumstances.

Columbus is a standout choice, it offers impressive property appreciation and landlord-friendly laws.

Smart choice.