If you can get fixer-upper in an otherwise safe (looking) Class A/B neighborhood, you could put in some sweat equity then rent that out.

It's another business to work on & a distraction from my short term rental business. 

Look, just because you can't, which in truth is you don't or won't, has zero bearings on other persons ability to put in the work and make things happen. 

At the same time, I would like to be compensated for the work that I have and will put in.

We put in an outdoor shower right by the hot tub, which has helped guests showering before entering.

When you bought did you put in a noncompete agreement so you could write off early for tax advantage?  

BP offers a calculator that you can use, or just use a basic excel spreadsheet, or even pen and paper is fine.Decide what you want to invest in....Flips, rentals, development, STRs etc...In terms of finding deals...you will have to put in some work.

Put in a little bit of sweat equity as well.

And the key here being that I don’t know how and wouldn’t be able to do it myself, so whatever it costs is what I have to pay 😂 like any field, you have to pay an expert to do it right, AC installation in Texas definitely not an exception to that rule.We have put in 9 AC systems into rental houses (rehabs) the last 6 years and your quotes are pretty accurate for central Texas.  

Anyone who actually listens to me knows that I've said repeatedly "there's a needle in every haystack" if you are willing to put in the time to find them.