Then you can read a more in-depth book like The Book On Rental Property Investing by Brandon Turner or The Unofficial Guide to Real Estate Investing by Spencer Strauss.2.

I'm taking a more conservative approach for now as I'm inexperienced and need to be prepared for any unexpected costs, Thank you Nathan:).

A spreadsheet has its place in your daily operations and tracking efforts, but I highly recommend starting with a software like QuickBooks Online to track your expenses in a more formalized manner.

Maybe bring in a  more agreeable equity partner and buy out the other partner 

I would also ensure my family has a six month emergency fund for ourselves that is not part of the investment money, since buying your first property puts yourself in a more risky situation initially.

To have a more accurate number, it helps to accurately identify what percentile the STR would fall into and use those numbers. 

I completely agree—there are many ways to integrate good design into a more accessible space without increasing little to any cost.

#3 Would the 6k with labor and materials be a more accurate estimate?

ThanmaI would recommend focusing on Anderson, SC, as it has experienced significant growth in recent years and serves as a more affordable alternative to Greenville, SC.

Id love to get some anecdotes from investors in the area so I can make a more informed decision.