I am located in Arizona and have been in manufacturing for 20+ years while my brother is an experienced contractor based in California. 

If you have that experience, you probably don't need much marketing, as sellers will be reaching out to you directly.Focus on securing one listing at a time and building momentum.

I do have a silent investor, but when it comes to securing funding, it often feels like I’m navigating it alone.

I invest in land and have done entitlement/zoning and other DD work successfully for years.A broker called me this morning on a property I have on a busy interesection and has a QSR client who likes the location, but does not want to do a ground lease, only a build to suit. 

Sherman or perhaps between McKinney and Sherman.SaginawBurlesonCertain other locations if you can find the right rent/price.

Otherwise, they will just end up ignoring you and you'll get frustrated. 3) Naive/newbie investors get burned all the time by only looking at the numbers - w/o fully understanding how the location/property/tenant will affect those numbers.- They often get sold Class C or D properties while using Class A assumptions - then wonder why they are losing money.Here's some copy & paste info that you hopefully find helpful:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

It saved me when things got real (hello, crazy boyfriend with trust issues).Security Deposit: Non-NegotiableOne full month of rent as a security deposit (at the very least!)

And the most important thing LOCATION,LOCATION , LOCATION . 

I only have one STR I mostly do LTR but I know location and amenities are king. 

They can also help you analyze the highest and best use for the property and location.