So, you have some experience with renovations:)You can enhance your chances of a profitable project by finding a partner that's done something like this in the past or at least a project of this size.Going forward on this alone will be nerve-wracking, run your life and be a great learning experience, but may lose money in the end.

I've been listening to podcasts (Bigger Pockets / Take Action - local to me) and reading a few books (Rich Dad Poor Dad, The Millionaire Real estate Investor, The book on Rental Property Investing...) to learn more about the industry and lately I've been shifting gears towards building my network to help me get more educated on the current state of investing in real estate.To date I have been able to connect with a private investor to help fund a deal, I have a couple realtors that I have known for 20+ years that can help me find deals, I'm starting to meet with a couple people that I know that have invested in the past or are currently investing, and I have a couple of lenders in mind to reach out to as well to have on hand if need be.My question for the forum is whom else should I be networking with to be ready for that first jump into an investment? 

@Grant Grabinoski What do you think is causing it to run at lower occupancy than in the past or neighbors as you said?

I've been a pastor for over 20 years, and currently working fulltime at the Y to make ends meet, the problem is, in the last 6 months I was promoted (which I'm thankful for), but now I'm in a cubical. sitting all day at a desk.

How much those units will affect the AirBnb and VRBO markets is yet to be seen but my guess would be that during peak seasons (UofA home games, gem show, ect.) you can expect to see lower occupancy than the past or potentially need to lower rates to compete.

I recently got names of a few contractors in Jax and i'm just hoping for a little feedback from folks in the area or that have done business with them in the past or present assuming you have heard of them of course.

@Luke Pastore, welcome to BP.  

You can often get a feel from their demeanor whether it seems like it is in the past or not.  

@Luke Pastore

I know an abundance of GREAT young professional-type tenants in Bloomington IN and Columbus OH that would be willing to move into a property that I would own/manage... however I’m a 25 yr old college pastor and my wife is a teacher, so we need some creative financing/partners to get these deals done.