My dad is from NO east and I have friends uptown so I've seen how right you are in how the city is so uniquely diverse from block to block.  

I have a unique situation, for me anyways, that I'd like some advice on. 

As a self-employed photographer, I'm in a unique position with a flexible schedule and am preparing to jump into real estate investing full time.

Each platform operates in a somewhat unique fashion .

And is there anything in particular regarding the local regulations that is unique to Philly - certain laws I should definitely be aware of?

I been researching processes such as Air BnB and trying to create my own unique one.

Each and every market, even sub-market, is very unique and requires a high level of experience from any RE professional to be successful there.  5 hours away is a long ways away.  

@Andrew Postell is in Texas (& otherwise a good resource for you as a Texas Realtor anyways), the one state in 50 known for having unique state specific wonky rules regarding HELOCs and cash out refis.

I'm looking at a house who has a unique location.

@Jacquelyn Dockery, I would recommend investing some time up front to understand your unique skills and constraints and then try mapping those to a specific strategy that is the best fit.