I've tried the lower 6-7% PMs and usually you'll either pay mark ups on repairs (what you've noted) or pay extra fees (i.e. labor hours, extra calls) that you may or may not notice. 

Fewer but better properties will usually outperform more "affordable" properties. 

Permit eligibility is based on region (usually the west side of town) and density (quantity of surrounding STR's in the area) as well as percentage of landscaping and minimum parking requirements. 

The usual way, but not the right way, to try to buy a rental is by finding a property on the MLS, where agents congregate, make an offer and then try to get financing to buy the property.

If they try to find another place, they’ll usually realize they already have a great deal and stay.8.Long-term tenants can be worth a slight discount.

Also, keep in mind that an IN multi member LLC would require a separate tax return, so you would want to budget for extra admin fees.

There's usually a good reason why a company is cheaper or more expensive.

I will occasionally test out swapping and using RankBreeze to track any difference, but I usually go back to my favorite hero photos and top 5 anyway.  

Prepayment penalties- usually 1-5 year terms.

That would be a helpful addition to your plan as you would further reduce your cost of living.Also don’t forget from that $600 you are planning on getting in cash flow you have taxes, insurance, maintenance, capex, and vacancy to consider.With two homes, you may want to keep that extra $20k as an emergency fund rather than spending it on a third property and then be left with no emergency funds.