I have just started in a 3-day training for the Lee Arnold broker certification program and thus far just completed the online material required for preparation. 

Our STR/MTR portfolio typically sees around 80% occupancy, and I’ve noticed that the online travel booking sites often push properties with consistently great guest experiences.

I am a highly motivated individual, however, and I'm dedicated to getting into real estate investing.  

I attended the RALA 3-day training in Phoenix and took a couple of online courses as well, and while I found these courses to be very valuable in helping get a clearer understanding of the space and what it might take to be successful, I eventually I found it most beneficial to bring in a partner/advisor who has built residential assisted living facilities here in Texas and has been running them successfully.

My sister and I have done all the leg work in finding where the 2 individuals lived at. 

I’ve got her dealing with 8 properties which have individual accounts.

Check out other online guides available here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/guides3.

Many lenders won't allow you to sell or refinance the properties individually if you have these on a blanket mortgage.

Do you use a “book” for information or an online service ?

I wouldn't focus singularly on individual city initiatives/projects and would recommend focusing more on fundamentals.