If you want the best class A+ LTRs in the state I'd recommend the upscale neighborhoods of Charlotte (Southpark, Myers Park, Dilworth etc.), or RTP / Raleigh.

Since the mortgage rates have been higher than previous years and the inventory has been lower I'd recommend looking into multi family options that are currently cash flowing in areas that values are increasing.

Like all good attorneys, I'll incessantly remind everyone that nothing I'm saying is comprehensive legal advice and will always recommend that you engage an attorney before you do anything--that's just the rule of the road for us.

Pro tip - Home Depot has a tile from Ivy Hill that looks exactly like Zellige for a fraction of the cost.

What would you recommend for someone just starting out?

If you're willing and able, I do recommend the "house hacking" strategy which is just a fancy name for buying a rental property and living in one of the units, because you'll get very favorable financing - an owner-occupied fixed-rate 30-year mortgage.I'd also say, analyze that property as if you won't live there and it's a pure rental, and make sure the property is still cash flow positive if there's a tenant in your unit because then you'll know if it's actually a good investment.And when you analyze it, include payment of a property manager in your #s because if you don't, and doing so would make it go cash flow negative, then you've just bought yourself a job because you literally can't step away from managing it without losing money.

Some folks have already given good advice, and I want to add a quick tip for how to get data on potential STR properties.

tbd Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

I see a lot of amenities you recommended as amenities that increase the quality of stay which leads to a higher guest satisfaction but doesn't really affect my return.

I also highly recommend being represented as a buyer.