This price range makes cash flow neutrality challenging, especially in desirable areas like beach or lakefront properties.

These borrowers typically don't need our help brokering bank & credit union loans, unless they don't have the time / energy / desire to do it themselves (or again - are required to use a broker by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, a correspondent life company, debt fund, or specific bank / credit union). 

To evaluate Real esteate deals for creative financing, start by identifying seller motivations i.e. financial distress, desire for passive income, do they need a downpayment on their next house, etc  and property factors like equity or existing financing terms.

We will create a unique website for each property which will increase its desirability.

It is true that as much as it is tempting and desirable to focus on a hundred things at the same time, actually staying focused on a specific thing and trying to master it is a difficult skill.

It's normally the desire for immediate income that steers most investors towards bad investments because they are hyper focused on cash flow which is often portrayed differently in spreadsheets than in real life, and should be a consideration but not deciding factor.

What type of leases are most desirable?

Property 2 (CA SFH $1.8M FMV, $300k basis, 1992-2020 primary residence, 2020-current rental, my elderly mother (WA resident) is sole owner)1031 to WA, rent 1 year before converting to primary (or more desirable 2ndary) residence.

So even though rent went down value went up with more desirable tenant. 

We just bought a house in a highly desired older neighborhood.The owner agreed to owner finance it with 5k down over 5 years at 0% interest.We did put some money into the house to fix it up some.The rental income will cover the payments.Always ask for owner financing, the answer might surprise you.Work with money partners to do more deals.Join your local Real Estate Club and learn new techniques and grow your network.