Depending on how hands on I am.

This doesn't come cheap--these folks were making high six to seven figures depending on volume.We focused on lending to professional real estate investors--so our customers were frequent repeat borrowers. 

Now this depends on how much you want to raise, if its $1M yeah that can be done, if you go above $5M you are gonna need to spend money and I would assume someone starting out 10% of that amount to get there.

It depends.

The members here on BP that talk about STR auto-run systems didn't install those systems and find dependable cleaners & handymen overnight.

I ask this because Buildium, also a RealPage company, can actually be more affordable depending on the door count and whether you manage on behalf of others.Buildium, like Appfolio, has different tiers of membership.

It depends on what the property appraises for in 24 months,  if you will be able to get home owner's insurance, if lenders are lending and so on.

It depends where you are.

Your criteria will depend on whatever you value most, population trends are a good indicator of what to look for.

Depending on the seller, you may sweeten the deal, by letting them know that they don't immediately need to cash out, or can partly cash out.