For STRs, focus on areas with robust tourism and flexible regulations.

If you're cash, you have more flexibility.

The most satisfying changes I've made is move out of tech management and back into just engineering roles, I sold my house in the city and moved to 5 acres in the hills where i work remotely for less money gladly, I've paid off everything, and now I have the flexibility to do anything.

When you are on the commercial side of the bank, and borrowing on the bank's balance sheet, they have a lot more flexibility to how they handle loans.  

Find one that does not have a high-priced long-term monthly contract, flexible pricing, and excellent customer service.

We are looking for lenders that understand the market (we are in Lousiana and are casting a wide net due to flexibility) and that will fund our first deal(s).

Furnished Finder does make it tricky since you need separate profiles for each room, but platforms like Apartments.com or Airbnb might work better if you're aiming for full-house rentals or structured by-the-room arrangements.If you decide to rent to multiple individuals:Tenant Screening: Screen each tenant thoroughly to ensure they’re reliable and responsible.Clear Communication: Introduce potential tenants to one another Detailed Agreements: Use separate leases for each tenant and specify shared vs. private spaces, utilities, and maintenance responsibilities.House Rules: Create clear, written house rules to prevent misunderstandings.Inventory Tracking: Document everything in the home (furniture, appliances, etc.) to avoid disputes about damage or missing items.Also, market your property with its flexibility in mind—like proximity to hospitals for traveling nurses or universities for graduate students.

Being flexible in a way that still protects your investment can help build a better relationship.However, if they’re not responsive or don’t show good faith, you might need to take a more formal step, like issuing a notice to pay or quit.

Focus on cash flow, leverage financing smartly, and structure your deals to remain flexible under varying tax conditions.

Which is a bummer since it gives me so little time from posting to sale date, but I do know banks are pretty flexible here with the sale date and are willing to push the closing date back if there is a contract in place to purchase the property.