(Feel free to message me directly if you prefer.

Don’t focus on buying or selling right away—just connect and build trust.Both brokers and sellers prefer doing business with those they know and trust.

The program is neither good nor bad, there's just different pros & cons compared to cash paying tenants.Have offered to schedule a call with you numerous times to try and assist you, but you seem to prefer posting & posting & posting - which will take so much longer:(What are the chances you'll actually invest someday, given how long it's taking you to do basic research?

Hey @Brad Roche - We do a significant amount of renovation loans (both Fannie May & FHA) here in Chicago and prefer the Homestyle loan only because it's less stringent on the borrow about what they have to repair, and they provide the general contractor a material draw at closing which helps the project start on the right foot.I thought the minimum down payment was 5%.

Just my personal opinion - get a mentor or a person who already has good experience running STR business, preferably in your area (but not 100% required). 

It depends if you need or want the money out or want an asset that will bring in income, especially since you own it cash.

Most owners are local and therefore “hot” money or out of area players are not yet chasing Pittsburgh assets, keeping prices favorable.References United States Census Bureauhttp://www.cmu.edu/news/stories/archives/2017/august/economic-impact-report.htmlMarcus & Millichap 2017 Multifamily Investment Forecast2017 Commercial Real Estate Trends Report by Integra Realty Resourceshttp://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/Pittsburgh-Magazine/September-2017/Staying-CMU-All-Eyes-on-Carnegie-Mellons-Future/http://www.nextpittsburgh.com/features/pittsburgh-developments-watch-2017/

That's why I prefer absolute dollar appreciation rather than percent.   

Ken, I would prefer to do that, but I wasn't sure if any banks would offer that type of loan or line of credit.

Replacing a bathtub with a shower can make narrow bathrooms feel larger and more modern.That said, consider keeping at least one bathtub in the building for market appeal, as families with small children or certain renters may prefer it.