My goal is to invest in rental properties in northern lower Michigan and the Grand Rapids area.

I moved to Grand Rapids, MI about 3 years ago.

@Lucas A DavidsonAs long as you are a responsible landlord, I wouldn't put too much weight on what the neighborhood wants.  

I had a rapid growth in my STR portfolio - I did my first two homes (rental arbitrage) in the first two months! 

This sounds appealing as our bread and butter and success has come from RE, but of course to buy the best upside deals, one has to have a minimum level of capital - so this creates challenges with growing something rapidly in a Coverdale, because the annual contribution limit(s) are $2k/child. 

@Ben Feder I wouldn’t place too much weight on the Zestimate.

I guess I wouldn't consider it a small town area, just because the entire area encompassing Rapid City is over 100,000.

My hope would be to be able to eventually buy out the co-owner and flip the property or keep it as a rental.It's in a great, high income area that is growing rapidly. 

And go ask others the same question, it will be a rapid curve for a lot of learning and your gonna need it, the ignorant get slaughtered in BNH REI. 

I am worried this opportunity will not be there in a few years as I expect prices to rise rapidly in the area (and they have already begun to).As an aside, would it be out of line to contact other vacation rental owners in the area through AirBNB/VRBO messages to ask them about their experience in the area, double check that their homes cash flow, etc?