Certainly partnering with companies that have consistent replacement properties available makes sense if the properties meet your investment guidelines.  

But if you do a bit everyday consistently you will reap the benefits of this great investment!

If you consistently analyze properties, recognizing a good deal will be much easier when it shows up.

so would like to start building our portfolio in a State that has consistent appreciation with room for rents to increase going forward."

Push through it, you may even need to have a second, consistent paying job and thats OK, until you get established.

However, some amenities consistently deliver high value because they attract more bookings, increase nightly rates, or result in better guest reviews.

It was the purchase that jump started my real estate investing career by providing a high consistent cash flow, and a large capital gain 4 years later.

If done right most of these gains are tax-free- $40K in equity capture (profit) with $20K out of pocket and 13% cash on cash thereafter (300%+ returns)- $24K of equity capture with $32K out of pocket and 36% cash on cash returns thereafter (75%+ returns)- $41K of equity capture with $27K out of pocket and 12% cash on cash returns thereafter (150%+ returns)None of the above numbers include loan pay-down or appreciation. 

Focus and consistency are going to be your best friends.Also, I wouldn't tackle buy-and-holds right now unless you currently have a high cash flow revenue stream in place.

I tend to ask the same questions multiple times over a period of time to see if I get consistent answers.