You still need some money to cover part of the rehab until you get your first draw, and if you're a brand new investor you might not qualify for 100% LTC on your first deal, but if you can partner with someone with experience on their track record or can prove significant past contractor experience then we might go that high on your first deal. 

I’m targeting assets between 25-100 units located in high-growth markets that exhibit strong fundamentals.

I've heard nothing but complaints from customers AND their franchise agents reegarding the quality of their 800-number service center. 

Having toured some of the most prestigious, expensive and historic estates and properties from Brookings to Astoria, there is still considerable investment opportunity at the very high end of the luxury market.

I invest almost exclusively internationally but I would generally never invest in long-term rentals, unless the rentability is very high, which it almost never is.6.

The rate will also be high. 

STRs work best in tourist-heavy areas with high demand, while LTRs perform well in markets with stable economies and diverse job opportunities.

It seems to me that they all whether paid of free, will all have the same exact amount of houses because all the transactions are all public and so they seem to compete with each other based on the quality of the data of the houses, how up to date it is, and the user experience in configuring the how the layout is.

Colors, quality of paint, how much prep needed, holes patches etc. 

Contractors, unless you have a working relationship with them, normally do not want you bouncing ideas off them.Understand what their hourly rate is, have a discussion with them that you are okay with paying them an hourly rate if they walk the property with you and provide you a scope of work along with an explanation of what you can/can't get away with in regards to improvements.ask them if you go with them, if they can credit you the amount that you paid.Once you develop a working relationship with a few contractors, you can bounce ideas off them and expect quality responses.I do not invest in New York.Best of luck.