It sounds like you've done a great job in investing in yourself and taking personal risks. 

Is your goal to use being an agent for your own personal investments or actively try and grow your agent business to eventually leave your W2?

Full background checks.IDs, names of all people to occupy house.All move in money received, no personal checkslease signed by All.Walk through inspection completed and signed.

Welcome to Bigger Pockets @Joshua KeimAs a fellow Memphis native, I’d love the opportunity to connect in person and discuss strategies with you!

If none, your losing money, on either the existing or potential.3. 

This is my first personal mortgage so I'm trying to learn the game.

With regard to renovations, I always suggest taking incremental steps to bigger renovations or partnering with someone who has already done a renovation at that level.I've been known to just go for the big rehabs for my personal investments here in Chicago , and during that process, it's always more stressful than it needs to be...As far as navigating the competition, I've found the best thing I can do is get EXTREMELY CLEAR  on what I am looking for; then I am confident pulling the trigger quicky. 

There's a common belief that your tax person should also be an investor themselves.

I do have an agent I know personally but she's only in the area at certain times of the year.Section 8 would be better than nothing.

Just my personal opinion - get a mentor or a person who already has good experience running STR business, preferably in your area (but not 100% required).