Brokers look out for their clients, insurance agents look out for their job.

Huntsville is a fantastic market with strong job growth, a booming tech industry, and steady rental demand.

As for getting started at PPR, I had recently graduated from Temple University and was looking for jobs.

It would be a different story if I were endorsing a business that was not doing a good job.  

I have done BRRRRs in Milwaukee for a decade+ and if I am not on the job 2-3 times a week, things go sub-optimal.

With my W 2 job I might not be able to fly to these areas and vet them.

Airbnb people have been discount seekers. try not to go by what you have heard,  but try it on one of your properties  and give it a few months  at a higher rate. 

In addition, I don't feel like our job market is mature.

@Victor Yang To use the rental losses to offset any active income (W2), you'd have meet Real Estate Professional status (which would be difficult to do with a W2 job because you'd have to work more on real estate than any other job to qualify) OR have an AGI of $150K or less.

I’m also open to exploring short-term rentals, private lending, or passive investing in funds—anything that maximizes returns while keeping risk and time commitments manageable.For context, I’d consider leaving my job if this could become a full-time venture that surpasses my current compensation (low-mid six figures).