To maximize my cashflow and gain landlording experience, I’d do STR and MTR in the other units, as well as the other bedrooms in my unit.

Do you have experience with other rentals?

Both options have pros and cons, and the right choice depends on your lifestyle, experience, and long-term goals.

If that's the case, if it's a flipper with zero development experience, no way would I have any interest

Also, at this time I had seen properties selling for 10 – 20% over ask regularly.Interest Rate 30 year conventional 7%Homeowners Insurance = $1,000 annuallyRents = $1,800 per monthWhen I looked at those assumptions, I would need to put down $80,000 on this house to get it to hit my cashflow goal of $500 minimum per month which equates to 35% down.Total mortgage + escrow = $1,267.13 per month with rents at $1,800 my monthly cashflow is $532.87.From my experience, after taking out vacancy and maintenance costs you are left with around 73% of that total cashflow number once the rental is established.People have asked why a $500 per month cashflow goal.

This experience proves that even with challenges, strategic renovations and persistence can lead to a profitable outcome.

Figure out a question set that helps dive into their expertise as investor-friendly agents, ask about their experience in the investment real estate space, and have them send you a few properties that could meet your goals to show that they can provide quality properties for your to analyze (hint: this is also good to see if they overpromised on their market [ex - Raleigh for cash flow]).Also with the new lawsuit, any agent that knows what they're doing will require you to sign an agency agreement prior to viewing a home.

Now you are saying you have no experience owning/operating an STR, that's another hit.  

I can't say when that will be but 4.125 is quite a lot depending on the rate you get.I personally want a hassle free funding experience and the lower rate.

@Duarte MarquesPossibly but highly not recommendedFor those with no real estate experience or experience in taking on debt, it’s not easyTo do it also with little to no down payment or reserves in most occasions will end in disasterReminds me of when in high school a friend used to let his dog drive his car.