The areas that have a lot of draw for these sorts of STR uses are more dispersed and not necessarily concentrated around the high dollar ski towns, so you can get stuff at much lower prices that can tolerate a lower occupancy rate without killing your overall cap rate projection.

We do split testing with different phone numbers so the stats still seem to support the idea of concentrating on Absentees if you have budget constraints.  

With the availability of data science and out-of-state PM, in the future, I believe the issue will be more like whether someone would like to invest in a concentrated market, or very diversified.

Concentrate on how you can make cash now. 

Most businesses if something dollar for dollar equals zero or better they will keep doing it as it gains exposure.You have to make sure the marketing is right for your message and targeted audience.For example if you sent 10,000 random letters out you might get a few hits from someone you just stumbled upon but it wouldn't be the results of a focused, concentrated, and targeted mailing effort.Most want a 2 to 1 ratio or better meaning for every dollar spent 2 are coming back in return.I like to target specific properties I think are quality that I know my commercial real estate clients would like or that I might possibly have interest in for myself.Once you have a winner you keep doing it to build a snowball effect and cement yourself in the marketplace.

before purchasing a new list I'll definitely make sure that everything's in place. the idea to scrub the list using MLS is great too.Driving for dollar is what we are concentrating on especially in a competitive market like Brooklyn...thanks again!

You are just tired of seeing $10k to $15k or more of equity go past you without grabbing it because you are concentrating on something much bigger.

I have another business outside of real estate from which I learned early to automate as much as I possibly can so I can concentrate on the really important stuff. 

For these people to concentrate their savings into one or only a few RE investments without extensive knowledge, will, ability, or desire to be hands on at any point in their REI career is foolish IMO.

Reasonable thinking would indicate that concentrating on pay it off and not accumulating more is preferred rather then thinking that investing is a path to getting out of debt.