Very little cash flows at 7% interest with houses that have doubled in price over the last 5 years.    

We are very excited to share your investing journey with you and here to help you reach your goals however we can. 

@Rafael Ramos All your goals contradict each other:(1) Cashflow: buy Class C & D properties2) Appreciation: buy Class A & B properties3) Low Crime: buy Class A & B properties4) Why would you want your investments to lose money to lower your taxes?

Quote from @Duane Richards: @Sundone Boutvyseth I also did a 10% on STR in Florida last year, it's worked out really well, but went through a national lender.

Is it the last rental rate you charged, or is it the going rate in the area + 10%? 

Or, plan on this being a nest egg builder and growing your equity, living in the home for 2 of the last 5 years and then selling with Section 121 exclusion. 

My goal is to offer an affordable monthly payment that competes with renting a comparable property and offers a benefit to paying a bit more to "own". 

Thus, my main goal joining this forum is to try to gain confidence in the decision to get into real estate investment and better understand the risks that I may not be considering due to my lack of experience in the field.

Also, which choice is better for you highly depends on what your real estate goals are and the experience level & skillset of the specific agent.Traditional agent and Redfin Agent could essentially be the same thing in many cases.

It sounds like you’ve navigated some serious challenges while staying committed to your long-term investment goals, which is a testament to your resilience.The current market definitely presents challenges, but it also holds opportunities—especially for investors who take a strategic, long-term approach.