There's no $$$$ in teaching you how to implement the action items I shared above which is why the higher revenue generating systems are sold, usually to real estate investors who don't know any better. 

California is the only state that has essentially put a rent control type of restriction on home owner insurance premiums.

In other words, you will be taxed twice on the money that you do take out essentially. 

We couldn't get a mortgage but were going to do a SBA loan based on the revenue.

I picked up a home for $422k that does $8k+month in revenue, some months well over.

Part of my issue was not having a reasonably priced handyman ahead of time and eventually overpaying to just get it done and also inexperience as a manager.With that said, you essentially have two options: very cheap properties in less good areas (you're looking at 100k or less--which you might have trouble getting a good lender for)  or trying to do some sort of house hack (e.g. live in flip, live in rent by the room, multifamily) where you budget will be closer to 200k-300k.Personally, I would not look at real estate until you are maxing out your 401k and IRA, but lots of folks have done significantly better with real estate than stocks and would think I'm crazy for suggesting this.

Are there any other real estate investing books that the forums would consider essential to a first time investor?  

Direct bookings results in higher revenue.  

What people want in this area of the business (STR) is humans.Look at the top STR coaches and they all say that the more you humanize your listing with personal videos and messages, the more you go up in revenue.

We also use Rental Guardian and add the charge to each booking so essentially the guest is paying for their own damage insurance.