Section 8 is best used as a risk mitigation tool for properties in super low income, high crime areas.

Are there specific tools, presentations, or approaches that help them feel more confident in taking that first step?

There are a ton of tools and resources that not a lot of people know so doing some YT watching and their training helps immensely. also, happy to answer any questions you might have on set up / operations.

Do you use bigger pockets tool?

@Sebastian Nadal for background checks, I use stessa/rent prep that’s available to us through biggerpockets tools.

I feel like in today’s day in age there are so many tools for STR operations and I cannot believe there is no integration for a merchant of sale transaction or some kind of financial app/ software that can take the remitted taxes and pay them to the government automatically.

They might be lower than anticipated and are a great tool for what you are looking to do.

My husband was able to consolidate and re-finance the debt after we executed the deal but this was only possible because we bought a VERY modest property of 70k as a learning tool to really see what buying a home in CR would be like. 

Paint rags and paint plastic $386.66 Initial 70% deposit Cabinets $13,029.02 Backer board, Fiber rock, Shower drains, Zinc backer board screws $385.71 Junk Removal $600.00 red gard ($123.10) Initial 50% deposit Windows $10,493.20 2x4 studs $52.33 Junk Removal $400.00 Flooring sample $6.01 Flooring sample $68.48 Flooring sample $62.62 Flooring sample $132.09 Paint samples for accent wall $38.34 10% Draw for Master bathroom demo $580.00 Wall and shower Tile+Grout-Guest bath $528.62 LVP Flooring $7,165.27 Demo Work $1,275.00 LVP Flooring $7,198.07 Floor tile-Guest bath $889.05 50% down for moisture barrier and animal extraction $2,541.30 Returning flooring samples ($263.19) Paint-2 5gallon buckets SW $382.38 Unsure on what these are $19.54 Unsure on what these are $48.00 Master shower floor tile $331.42 Paint $3,100.00 Flooring underlayment $888.42 Primer $178.71 Paint-5 1gallon buckets SW $180.26 Paint $3,100.00 Appliances $6,820.59 Master bath tub $986.76 Paint-1 5gallon buckets SW $194.81 Primer $268.54 Framing repair for rotted wood $1,000.00 Junk Removal $500.00 Floor tile-Guest bath $771.07 Floor and Shower wall tile-Master $4,559.43 Stair noses $334.20 Master shower floor tile $612.76 Farmhouse sink $385.91 Master ceiling paint $254.29 Drywall repair in kitchen ceiling $500.00 Childrens wall tile and floor tile $3,477.40 Master shower floor tile-Return ($331.43) Drop in sinks for children's bathroom $103.75 Drop in sinks for upstairs bathroom $51.87 Master sinks $147.64 Master floor tile $270.05 Electricity $169.70 16x cement backer board return ($139.60) Tub and shower faucets $414.96 4 x Toilet seats $788.22 Tile install materials for all bathrooms $863.00 Air filters $10.90 Gas pipe and AC tune up+Duct repair $1,216.00 Tile install materials for all bathrooms $984.78 Roll of insulation X2 $38.48 Primer refund $125.33 Shower faucets X2 $480.71 Water $11.41 Master shower floor tile-Return the original white one ($261.55) Demo and materials he bought $1,005.14 Pickup charge for picking up flooring $223.96 Flooring 1st payment $4,000.00 Flooring return-guest bathroom tile ($889.05) Red guard refund $71.34 Backer board, wall tile and floor tile upstairs master return ($134.34) Keys X3 $10.93 Remaining balance for moisture barrier $2,046.30 Subfloor repair $100.00 Flooring $9,900.64 Master tub filler faucet $311.35 Tile labor in all bathrooms $9,202.22 Stair treads and risers $1,160.76 Bathroom painting $2,000.00 Junk Removal $150.00 Return for stair noses ($334.20) Return for flooring ($13,488.73) Flooring $1,900.00 Flooring underlayment $899.35 Trim $1,053.17 Toilet supply lines $13.46 Tile sealer, garage epoxy, garbage disposal $313.00 Return for remaining balance ($1,098.57) Floor reducer $49.99 Garage door opener $267.66 Door hardware (Hinges and door handles) $451.14 Counter tops $5,287.01 Tile return ($981.43) Tile return ($685.14) Tile return ($385.53) Tile return ($153.19) Tile return ($613.13) Flooring $1,900.00 Plumbing and electrical work (Light fix, toilets, drains) $975.00 Light fixtures and faucets $975.49 Junk Removal $125.00 Baseboards $241.45 Switches, outlets, faceplates $234.53 Cabinet balance $5,583.86 Sink return ($155.62) Dining room light and 4 ceiling fans $923.70 Anti skid additive for garage floor $11.38 Flooring $1,900.00 Glidden gel paint $24.01 Paint refund ($1,046.40) Counter tops $2,304.23 Extension rods for ceiling fans $40.64 3 Ceiling fans (one was returned) $573.93 Return grills $100.11 Kitchen and nook light fixtures $283.80 Rod for curtains and toilet paper holder $84.10 Curtain rods $54.60 Garage door deposit $1,185.00 Cleaning $400.00 Water heater $756.18 Thermostat $181.41 Stump Removal $300.00 Dryer cord $28.53 Plumbing and electrical work (Light fix, toilets, drains) $3,525.00 Junk Removal $125.00 Grass seed $71.40 Return of shipping cost ($297.45) Duct cleaning $970.00 Drains for master $46.54 Sold Fridge ($200.00) Bathroom fans $91.92 Samples for brick $29.98 Peg board hooks $20.83 Wall plate covers $21.28 Steel pegboards $140.72 Return stair tread and Riser ($198.14) Pressure washing $1,216.00 Wall plate covers $8.11 Shower door for upstairs $729.83 Powder room counter top $702.99 Light bulbs $59.24 Shower door deposit $1,000.00 Staple gun, staples, supply lines $157.04 Bathtowel hanging hardware $130.89 Light bulbs $29.62 GFCIs, underlayment, downrods ($233.54) Sanding pads $59.10 Yard hanging tools $21.94 Supply line return ($13.12) Stair clips and balusters $779.58 Returned some bathroom tile ($109.05) Peg board hooks $120.04 Front door $3,235.01 Brick sealer $50.81 Bathroom fan light and peg board hooks $71.27 Sanding pads, sanding sheets, etc $38.48 Mirrors $65.84 Mirrors $291.88 Spray bottle for marble sealer $4.34 Brick backsplash $695.54 Sanding pads $2.20 Shelves and shelf brackets for storage room $73.14 Shower door balance $1,000.00 Mirrors $104.26 Returned mirrors ($89.50) Gutters $2,043.15 Floors for finishing room $373.78 Wall plate covers $8.07 Floetrel and hood vent $31.49 Plumbing and electrical work $175.00 Backsplash and fireplace $2,450.00 Trim paint $50.21 Tile for master finish $15.17 Returned something.

Just a follow up question, were you utilizing debt to invest, I have always been taught since a young age to try and not utilize debt (I come from a family of stock market investors, traditional business owners) where debt is not utilized as frequently which I obviously understand debt can be a very powerful tool and utilized in a great way its just something I want to avoid with my investments to an extent any suggestions for investing without debt or as little as possible.