If you can't keep control of your personal finances, you are highly unlikely to succeed in real estate investing.

I am trying to find best way to find legit contractors specialized in certain trades (masonry, carpeting, kitchen/bath, etc...) I know there is Angie, any other methods you guys suggest, beside google search of course...

If you are interested I also have a list of several other quality architects that I am happy to share.

We are working with quite a few renowned developpers and we are specialized in the Bayahibe area, Las Terrenas, and Cap Cana.Properties in Bayahibe have a quite amazing ROI because of their discounted price (as the place is less renowned than Punta Cana for instance), and its high occupation rate (one of the highest in the country).We have a lot of projects with amazing rentability at the moment, feel free to contact me if you want to know more, or if you are curious about the location!

The groups also go through seasons of highs and lows depending on the time of the year and the membership. 

We are at likely record high price to rent ratios (like much of the country) without much upside on rent growth in the mid-term paired with steeply rising taxes, financing, and insurance costs.

If you're struggling to get started and don't know where to look, I'd highly recommend doing a house hack. 

Bought it because the location, price, and other qualities made it stand out as a great property to have a long-term rental when I leave the area.That day is coming soon.

we pass on at cost, keeps it easy to respond to guests when they say our cleaning is high. have even proved it to guests before- some people just like to see it and most i have done that with have become long time rebookers.Make money on your house and pass along fees at cost to me thats the best way to go and has been fruitful for us 

I also learned of landlords (at least in one case) that are getting HARMED by high volumes of text spams and calls from investors.