The PMC I left to start my own PMC had at least 2 "preferred contractors" related to key players in the office so high rates and poor service fell on deaf ears. 

Agree, STR are saturated but given the numbers, I expect unsuccessful players will leave the market.  

You can check out this group to know who the players are.

I know a few pro football players that had short careers.

So you better find something that cash flows or you’d be better off putting the money in a bank CD. 

She spent countless hours on the phone—with me, the city, contractors, and other key players—to help find the best path forward when she didn't have to.What I Learned:Insurance is your safety net: Always double-check that you have the correct policy for your project type. 

@Karen SmithAs jay mentioned private lending has been around forever and it’s really not on the rise - I think it’s always been a large player in the real estate investment space for short term loans.

Real estate investing is a team sport and at different points in the game different players will play more important roles.

I find these to appreciate better than your typical LTR here which are usually in C/D class neighborhoods.I tend to look at each Real Estate opportunity as what its highest and best opportunity is. 

Yes, the more units you go up, generally the less players in the game so there is some advantage in purchase competition as you go up, but also more management scale and cap ex for someone who is new.3.