I am considering getting into this space (looking at some courses), but worried that its too late, and that deep local market knowledge/understanding of buyers/connection with developers etc is required to make this work, which only incumbent/long term investors will have and would be hard for a new entrant starting from scratch to catch-up...is my hypothesis valid in your opinion ?

For all methods you would want to find a market that has strong employment rates, strong income rates for the market, and is a growing or an established market. 

We listed strategically and were under contract in 2 weeks in the slowest part of the year (December) whereas all the other similar homes in the neighborhood have been sitting for months and still sitting on the market. 

Happy to send over some resources on why Columbus is a great real estate market to invest in. 

I’m brainstorming ideas on how I can market myself to potential mentors in the STR game in order to gain experience.

We own SFHs in Columbia SC and like that market.

Last year, I purchased a SFH under market at 7.65% interest rate and did some rehab to up the value.

Quote from @Devin James: We’ve slowly been improving our homes the more we’ve built and the more feedback we get from our Buyers2021 – Added 8ft doors throughout the home2022 – Added a new elevation with stone in the front of the home2023 – NO carpet in the bedrooms, LVP throughout the home2024 – Added hurricane impact windows & new color options2025 – Adding Ceiling FansGotta be open to feedback and adjust accordinglyThis can be the difference of your home sitting on the market for 4 months vs 1 month where's the modifications and pictures?

No residual marketing and no marketing for each properties uniqueness.

To make the strategy successful, you need to find a property that can be acquired below market value.