If you're willing and able, I do recommend the "house hacking" strategy which is just a fancy name for buying a rental property and living in one of the units, because you'll get very favorable financing - an owner-occupied fixed-rate 30-year mortgage.I'd also say, analyze that property as if you won't live there and it's a pure rental, and make sure the property is still cash flow positive if there's a tenant in your unit because then you'll know if it's actually a good investment.And when you analyze it, include payment of a property manager in your #s because if you don't, and doing so would make it go cash flow negative, then you've just bought yourself a job because you literally can't step away from managing it without losing money.

If you only have a homeowners policy, and something happens like a fire or a guest gets injured, and the insurance company finds out you're renting out the house, you're in deep trouble. 

Also, any advice on managing budgets for PPC in the real estate sector would be really helpful.Thanks in advance for any insights. 

 @Greg Abel I think it's important to consider the long-term, as changing property management software is difficult.

I’ve been in the industry for several years, and my work has given me a solid understanding of property systems, maintenance, and what makes a home a great investment.I’m now looking to expand my own real estate journey by learning how to acquire and manage short-term and long-term rental properties.

@Basit Siddiqi Have you considered getting an assistant to manage all of those things rather than a property manager.  

Set your investment criteria, systems, and rules—and stick to them.2.Tenant management is all about structure.

I have 3 homes managed by a property manager.

There are short-term rental management companies that can help with that.One that I work with in Michigan covers the entire state and can advise on local short-term rental regulations or regulations that may be on the way, they can give you an analysis of the demand for short-term rentals in that area, nightly rates in that area, monthly occupancy percentage, and projected monthly income.They also let you choose the level of service you would like from them from full service to minimal.To your success!

I've always wondered if I could transfer to construction management.