Quote from @Samuel Coronado: Huntsville long term will get a better % ROI than Atlanta.

You'd be looking for HELOC rates better than 10-11% to fund the reno.

It can be a very good market, but the why behind your choice may help us give you better advice on how to move forward.Before realtors and property managers, you really need to meet other investors so you are making a good move by trying to do that here, but it would be better if you could do it in person.

Better is better, less is more.  

At least a lot better than the path I chose to take. 

There definitely is better but I wouldn’t say one is bad." ....This is a misconception that gets many in trouble. 

But since there are 10's of thousands of units here, bigger is typically better because there are fewer of them than smaller condos and towns.

In order to entice me to invest in spite of my hesitation, a better ROI must be offered to me.

STR seems to have better tax benefits (in the right market) but is it worth it at a distance ???

I want to build my network, get a better understanding of this market and share my knowledge with others.