So, I'm looking to invest in other markets and trying to focus on one or two so that I can build knowledge over time, but narrowing it down is a challenge. 

My father is a certified contractor in NJ—he’s built one home, flipped four, and consistently handles upgrades and maintenance for me and his other clients.I’d appreciate any tips or stories from those who’ve turned equity into a profitable venture.

As with most people starting out - having the 20%-30% equity to put in the deal is the challenge. 

Be sure to hold a hefty reserve to handle on-going maintenance, capex, taxes, and insurance.

Here’s how to handle those:•Negotiate inspection costs into your deal—in some cases, sellers will cover them.

@Bonnie Low  How does baselane handle credit card transactions?

As someone relatively young, obtaining a conventional loan has proven challenging for me.

The challenge again, is the prices around here.

I recommend you call a local agent or broker to give you a better lay of the land so you understand the challenges/opportunities in this area.

WordPress, especially when paired with plugins like WP Rentals or a property management system, offers more flexibility for custom features like dynamic calendars, booking systems, and integrations with platforms like Airbnb.If you're planning to grow beyond a few properties, WordPress can handle that expansion better since you can continuously customize it as your business needs change.