Finding an investor-friendly agent is key and they should be able to help you with 1-4, I'd say talking about those questions you asked would be the perfect thing to ask any potential agents you interview! 

Hello Friends,I own a 1982-built ground-level condo (one unit above, one below).

In my market, which is a fairly economical place to build, I am friends with full time builders that are in their properties about $150k/door for construction level finishes.  

I’ve considered multifamily or duplexes, but from what I’ve heard, they’re unideal right now, so I’m leaning towards STRs.I’ve put together a list of areas that seem STR-friendly with good tourism appeal, and I’d love to get feedback from people who know the San Antonio market well.

A friend of mine had a similar journey - they turned their old home into a rental property and soon realized they loved managing tenants and exploring ways to add value.

Hey Christine, I might be biased, but you could look into Cleveland, Oh.Here are a few things to consider against investing there:- Slower appreciation compared to some other markets- Harsh winters, which can lead to higher maintenance costs- Many discounted single and duplex might need repairs or updates, especially if the previous owners haven’t kept up with maintenance over the years- Some local regulations to be aware of (nothing crazy, but worth noting when trying to close deals).But there are also some solid reasons to invest in Cleveland:- Affordable properties in the $100K-$300K range- Strong long term rental market due to a high rent to price ratio- Landlord friendly laws overall- Potential for great cash flow- Opportunities for Section 8 tenants- stable market once you have the right team in placeEvery market has pros and cons so it comes down to your budget, risk tolerance, and finding a reliable crew you can trust.

I'll try to get in touch with everyone individually (though I'm not used to how the forums work yet).I'm also not sure how to make the at replies work, so that's a bit of a bummer.Anyway, as for location I'm in Kumamoto and investing mostly locally.

It's a smaller, family-friendly community that draws a ton of repeat vacationers (families will book the same place year after year). 

Do you build it with the intention of renting it or just for family/friend use?

•Gear-Friendly Accessories: I provide rain ponchos, umbrellas, and even color-coded towels for drying off pets at the door.