I’m exploring a few options and would love to hear your thoughts on each:Airbnb Rentals: Is short-term rental still a profitable and sustainable option given current regulations?

As far as investing in the short term I feel investing close to home (50 mile radius) is the best option because you have a superior advantage by knowing your market.

The refund terms are either deceptive or not clearly articulated.  

Once I've completed these initial projects and built up some capital, my long-term goal is to transition into buy-and-hold investments in potentially more affordable markets to maximize cash flow and scale up.Right now, I'm particularly interested in investing locally here in the Seattle metro area.

Quote from @Nathan Gesner: There were a couple experienced investors on the forums that loved to tell everyone they could manage a short-term rental in just five minutes a week. 

Since then prices have fallen 95% in inflation adjusted terms.

.: Self-proclaimed “Short Sale Queen” and associates indicted in federal mortgage fraud schemeTuesday, December 3, 2024For Immediate ReleaseU.S.

i wish i had better news for you but it's probably not feasible in the short term to replace your W2 income with rental income. 

Investment Info:Single-family residence buy & hold investment.

This bodes well for long-term equity growth.Rising Rents: The uptick in rental prices shows a strong demand for rental properties and could lead to better cash flow for investors.Economic Strength: Reading has a diverse economy, with key sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and education providing stability.Rental Demand: Low vacancy rates signal that people are actively renting in the area, which is essential for scalability.Future Development: Any upcoming infrastructure projects or new businesses could further boost the market.With these positive trends, it seems like Reading could be a scalable rental market.