As you have intimidated you need partners; which is not unusual-MF is often a team sport.

However, a savvy real estate investor or agent familiar with your area can show you some trends in your immediate context that will show you who your competition is, and appraisals are really a team sport. 

Try sports, stocks,kids, anything other than real estate.

I have done research on the area, and I know I’d be able to cover mortgage with the short term rental income (this is a 5 min drive from the Midwest’s largest sports park)

It has a major airport, lots of sports/activities, drivable to a beach or mountain on a Friday afternoon, strong rental and real estate market.

Finally, how many suburbs have pro sports teams in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, etc?

It has a major airport, lots of sports/activities, drivable to a beach or mountain on a Friday afternoon, strong rental and real estate market.

I am currently a producer of sports entertainment media but I'm excited to make the leap into Real Estate. 

Tampa Bay is a great market - our property prices and year-over-year rent prices are touted nationally as some of the highest due to in large part to our #1 ranked sports team (yes, the Super Bowl and Stanley cup this year) as well as the partnership between Bill Gates and Jeff Vinik in the downtown/channelside markets.

Same with open houses, sponsoring local sports teams, etc.