Are you planning to invest out of state? 

Quote from @Matthew Samson: @Corby Goade yep, that sounds like a plan.

I have drafted plans for covered patios and decks in Coronado, City and County of SD.

I myself am in a similar position looking to acquire a secondary home in the Banner Elk and would plan on using as a STR and would love any input on your findings!!

I never was able to coordinate a consistent quarterly meeting for planning, I never knew who to contact because they have multiple levels of their workers and people were constantly moving in and out of the organization.  

If you're planning on managing the rental unit yourself, you'll learn a lot about owning rentals pretty quickly.

You need to work with a property manager that has experience with this, unless you plan on doing it yourself.

This move is such a great example of what determination, solid planning, and truly listening to investors’ needs can achieve.

Quote from @Ven Bud: After hearing to lot of bp episodes on negative cash flow, I have a question.I am currently living in my primary residence and planning to purchase an investment property, and obviously it is going to be a negative cashflow (bay area), but I am of the opinion that as long as the rent on the investment property is atleast going to be greater than my current primary residence mortgage it can still considered as positive cash flow investment.The investment property is going to be in a much better location (for office commute, bay area proximity) than my primary residence.

You need to make a written plan with him to get this over the finish line, with cost estimates.