If you setup your STR with your audience in mind they should find you. 

With this in mind, if you intend to leverage short-term debt (hard money), it's even more vital that your underwriting is thorough and that you have the correct systems in place to tackle potential issues.

And keep in mind; getting sold and getting informed are 2 very different things.

Some lenders will fund 100% of the deal + renovations if you are experienced.Wholesaling is possible but be mindful that it is a business, you don't make any money until you can persuade someone to sell their house and then to find a buyer.I personally think its easier to be an agent, still a business but there should be people teaching you and you have more of a reputation when talking to sellers.

Okay I'll keep that in mind.

Yes the rate is great but if real estate does not appreciate or goes down in the next three years would that change your mind?

Begin with the end in mind and work backward to develop a roadmap for achieving your goals.

Please keep in mind, since this is a vacation home, it will not be covered under the protections of an LLC (at least not initially) so we need to make sure we have liabilities covered. 

Definitely be mind of the due on sale clause with taking out a HELOC and quit claiming into an LLC.

I don't find much 4-plex in my market so the idea of just building one and renting it came to mind.