I am very familiar with that market, slightly less in NJ.Long term goals: Owning single families in PA and then possible getting into MF or building townhouses at a later date in NJ.

@Max Kim I'm new to the Georgia market.

Whenever I read investor posts about unit count goals and utilizing section 8 rentals as the vehicle to scale a portfolio it loosely translates to buying real estate without paying attention to the fundamentals in the markets where they invest.

As I expected this is a very different market than where I live (in NY).

For long-term goals, I generally recommend focusing on newer investments in markets with a proven track record of steady growth.Once you're clear on how much time you want to dedicate and what outcome you’re aiming for, it becomes easier to choose the right investment path.Hope this helps, and best of luck!

@Michael Belz Photos are the only marketing you have when it comes to Airbnb... we onboarded 3 large homes in upstate NY 1.5 years ago, we brought in models, candles, throws, extra decor and the properties are beating their comps who had nice quality but un-staged photos by around 18%.  

In our market this the best way to get cash flow and get moving. 

- How do you assess the market and identify red flags?

If your startup costs are over $55,000, you lose the immediate deduction, and the entire amount would have to be amortized over 180 months (15 years).Here’s an example to clarify:•If you spend $7,000 on startup costs (such as attending BPCon, legal fees, and market research), you can deduct $5,000 in the first year and amortize the remaining $2,000 over 15 years, starting when your business is officially active.

You brought up some really key points, especially regarding location and the importance of making properties stand out in a competitive market—whether it’s for short-term, mid-term, or long-term rentals.I completely agree that proximity to Waco's major attractions like the university is essential.