What would you recommend to my team and I as we start out to avoid those same mistakes?

If you would like more information please DM me and I recommend you to a hedgefund i been working with, have a nice week.

I highly recommend attending a few local meetups and get to know other local investors.

@Robert Khalev what areas do you recommend?

Could anyone provide recommendations on the most effective strategy for expanding my real estate portfolio?

I'd recommend a broker since they have lots of different options to see what fits best for you.

When a tenant moves out, transfer the deposit back to Checking so it's ready to apply towards expenses or refund the Tenant.If you end up with excess funds in the Checking account, I recommend you transfer it to a third account designated explicitly for future investments.

Are there any specific neighborhoods or property types that you would recommend for a first-time investor?

The key is to find someone you trust, which is why I recommend using Property Management Finder.

It is part of the game as with any other potentially high-reward endeavor but it doesn't have to affect your well-being.That said, your vanguard account is a good reminder that there are other avenues to consider outside of RE.I'd recommend continuing to diversify by exploring other RE options.