There's no one size fits all approach to real estate investing and depending on your resources, skill set, and capabilities you may excel in one particular market or utilizing a specific strategy whereas another investor will excel using a different approach.  

I know the equity growth on it longterm will be excellent for what and where it is, but I can't buy just for equity right now, it needs to at least carry itself.

Companies like PolicyGenius do an excellent job selling personal lines coverage (property/casualty and life, mainly) more easily (and maybe more cheaply) than your local State Farm agent.

My experience was excellent both projects were completed successfully, on time, and delivered solid returns.

Find one that can be custom to your needs, has flexible pricing, no long-term, high-cost memberships, and excellent customer services to determine how to best market to your leads.

I have some homes in Ft Lauderdale and excel in the Short Term Rental space. 

If you need a referral to an excellent agent who works exclusively with STRs in that specific market, I can refer ours  I'm an agent, but yes I am in contact w/ one out there familiar w/ STRs. thanks for asking. 

He is not saying anything new, but is excellent at delivery which is why he is still putting out videos that are still getting 5,000+ views.  

Milwaukee is an excellent market to get started in also. 

I have no debt, significant equity, good W-2, and excellent credit.