I'd like to stay in the southeast and would appreciate any insight other investors can offer about cities in the southeast. 

Shorter term CD's actually have higher rates than longer term so staying in the 3-6 month range is best.  

However, employer profit-sharing contributions (up to 25% of W-2 wages) are not subject to FICA taxes and do not appear on the W-2.To stay IRS-compliant, ensure your Form W-2 and Form 941 properly reflect deferrals, and maintain a reasonable salary to avoid red flags.

Our thoughts on the Yurts were like yours at first until we stayed in one in Virginia over last Christmas and it was not just a tent but a two bedroom, full bathroom, full kitchen etc...  

Hi David,I’m just entering the flex space development space and recently joined a mentorship program to deepen my knowledge (I do have experience in commercial MF).

This is a story from my past that provides a perfect example as to why investing in tax liens at auction is so dangerous for any but the most experienced and knowledgable investors20 years ago I purchased a SFR as a long term rental investment that sat on a double lot.  

I work with investors, I am extremely knowledgeable about this market and I have a strong team of vendors.

I feel like I have a strong grasp of the general knowledge needed for a first property, but I’d love to hear something different.

If you are looking for proper guidance from someone that has house hacked quite a few times and has the knowledge and experience to help get you going in the right direction, I recommend reaching out to @Josh Green.

I believe starting with something smaller will help me build the knowledge I need before considering larger deals down the road.