Eliminate debt, establish a budget, and save.

As far as whether to approach them with or without an agent - approaching them directly without an agent can save the seller probably 2.5-3% of fees, which give you some room to negotiate on the price, but you need to be confident that you are capable of evaluating the property value, estimating on the amount of work that is needed, knowing how to negotiate/ structure the deal, and navigating the closing process.

I'm not sure I'd want to go past 10 STRs ever and I'm trying to decide if it's worth Co-Hosting or just save up for the next one.

STR seems to have better tax benefits (in the right market) but is it worth it at a distance ???

There are tons of other metrics to consider such as rental rate, job demand, growth, path of progress, taxes, schools, crime, and on and on.

Additionally, high-income earners with modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) over $250,000 (married filing jointly) may be subject to the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT).For 2025, bonus depreciation is at 40%, so consider leveraging it for eligible property assets like appliances or fixtures to accelerate deductions.

Is your DSCR ratio greater than 1-meaning are you cash flowing (according to the lender's criteria of mortgage, property taxes and insurance (and HOA) if applicable).

Eliminate debt, establish a budget, and save.

Florida has some strong rental areas, but things like insurance, taxes, and property management can vary a lot depending on the city.If you ever want to compare notes or chat about market trends, happy to share what I’ve seen!

In North Jersey, buying is difficult from my beginner perspective with high prices, property tax, etc.Barrier to entry feels high in my area.