And people are fast to panic, to turn on others, to talk smack.

Those two things turn some folks off, but if the numbers work, they work. 

I know that by law you can only do 3 STR (less than 30 days) per year.  

In the beginning I want to manage by myself to save cost.

I started by building a 12-door portfolio using the BRRRR method and self-managing initially.

Unless you are turning the profits into buy-and-hold rentals of course!

Include all expenses like property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and property management fees if you’re not managing it yourself.Network Like Crazy: You’ve already made a great first step by joining this group!

The LLC helps when you are trying to do things like turn on utilities. 

What are the largest pitfalls one may run into that turn this from a 150 to 350 ordeal?

I've navigated multiple rental property fires, nearly a dozen over the decades.