Ditto, I use PriceLabs for my STRs - here is a nice writeup ...Airbnb Smart Pricing Vs PriceLabs: An In-Depth Comparison For Hosts | Boost Your Short-Term Rentals

With enough knowledge you can make a educated decision on which approach you take.My experience:I personally don't sign up for any program who take you aside during events and try to sell packages that is just blatant sales strategy.Once you sign up there is every attempt to make you sign for their programs for bookkeeping, registered agent, LLC or corp setup fee which have ridiculous even with platinum membership.Basic standard structure they suggest to take advantage of multiple deductions can be easily achieved by proper education or work with a good firm like https://wcginc.com  who is local to you.A umbrella C-crop to manage all other LLC properties and take advantage of many tax deductions that are not available with a llc, its also used to take losses up to 100K as startup expenses and dissolve the entity after few years.Few LLC entities for investing in Real Estate, etc preferably in Wyoming or Nevada ( you can find many companies online who can do this for $150 compared to anderson $1500-$3000) , they will claim they have a secret Operating agreement which is bogus.They certainly try to take advantage of tax loopholes and claim to be smart people, my view they are just taking advantage of numbers as per their own statements.

Look for properties where you can add value with smart, targeted renovations rather than going overboard.Financing Strategy: Since you're aware of the leverage risks, keep your financing options flexible and conservative.

Provo ConnectionsUsing your friend’s connections in Provo is smart—it lowers risk.

I am 20 years old and trying to learn as much as i can about real estate so that when i graduate college and have a steady income Ill be able to make smart investments hopefully leading to financial freedom.

I thought he was super smart and a straight shooter. 

I have one that is awesome and smart and specializes in Real Estate tax planning mostly because he is an investor as well so he is really good at what he does.  

Definitely a smart move to consider some out-of-state options before diving into a first investment property. 

You are smart to be aware of these landmines, they might be good if you are just looking for a nice place to live but not great if you want to build a portfolio.  

Play it smart by aligning your investments with your goals, timing, and risk appetite.