I have the opportunity to purchase two short-term rental properties that will perform very well.  

I would guess they dont have a super scheduled home life,  ie they arent getting driven to sports or music lessons..after school..

This is also a slight uptick from the September 2021 median home price of $450,000 in the Austin-Round Rock market.Here’s how submarkets in the Austin area performed in October:City of Austin: The median home price climbed 21.1 percent year over year to $536,000­­, while home sales decreased 11.7 percent.Travis County: The median home price increased 21.8 percent year over year to $522,625, while home sales fell 16.9 percent.

Everything in this city is getting more expensive because the largest indoor sports complex in the country is being built right downtown about 1/2 mile from this property.

Given your goals, you might want to  entertain the option of selling (flipping to an end buyer, rather than flipping to yourself. ) You could then use those funds to buy an already performing rental somewhere, since you are open to multiple markets. 

There’s a property I have in mind in Jefferson County and before approaching the owner and making an offer I need to figure out how to find reliable contractors to perform the work in a timely manner.

@Kevin Kim if the house is vacant and the vendor you chose knows the scope of work you want performed, there should be no problem sharing the code with them.

I perform a criminal background.

Because of the restrictions for cars, you may be better off from a tax timing perspective if you replace your business car with a heavy sport utility vehicle (SUV) instead of another car.

Contract PriceClient shall pay Contractor the estimated sum of $491,328.00 (the “Contract Price”)for the work to be performed under this Contract, subject to additions and deductionspursuant to any change orders agreed upon in writing by the parties, and subject to “allowances” as provided in the bid.Note: If the final cost of any item covered by the allowance is more or less than the dollaramount listed, the Contract Price will be increased or decreased by a written changeorder from the Contractor."