Here are the five reasons serious (particularly luxury & commercial) investors should hire an investor focused and friendly real estate broker: - Market Insight: Seasoned investors will show you why the little things make a big difference.

However, I'm unsure if I'm suited for the short-term rental market.

I'm not interested in secondary market loans as they're a totally different animal.

We won't know the condition of the home but can assess photos or drop what we are doing and go look at the home immediately. 

What interested you in that market?

Now I'm being told that the interest rate is more realistically going to be 7.125-7.6%, which makes the purchase significantly less desirable.So my question: Is 7.125% market rate or is this something I should be looking into?

Of course i am partial to exchanging into the midwest like the KC market but everyone has their own strategy.

You would need to choose between what is more important.... owning the listing or owning a STR that is dominating the market it's located in, by maximizing the tools available to manage the property.

Clark-Fulton seems to be a very profitable market.

I don't have anything in this particular market, but glad there are people like you that do.