Hello, I am 22 year old recent college graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering.

Yeah, doesn't really matter how you get the license, it shouldn't take very long either it isn't like a degree it should take maybe a couple of weeks.

My husband and I are based in Austin TX and we are searching for a second home (preferably condo but can do house, max budget $300K) in the Northern Sates (great lakes, finger lakes and upper new york states) where we can get away from the 100+ degree summer heat and airbnb out the property during non-summer seasons in places that can generate cash flow for us.Curious if anyone has experiences owning short term rentals in these regions and which places would you recommend that fit our search criteria?

One of the things that I enjoy about landlording is that the successful people in it are, to a remarkable degree, successful because they actually have some brains in their head.

I hustled ( i am a full stack developer ) I develop apps for a living, it's hard to get a job if you don't have a degree from the states itself, so I kept freelancing here and there with some consulting for local agencies and startups in the Pittsburg area, I saved enough money to get my first real estate deal, I did the handy work myself and kip the house, so I have a monthly kinda stable income.Currently, I have almost $50k in saving.

Decided a college degree wasn't for me.

At that point it was 2 degree mis match.

With its high taxes (corporate and personal) many businesses and people are leaving Illinois, not to the degree of CA but there's still a consistent outflow from IL. 

The results of their many tests are usually required to some degree before getting a building permit as well as a certificate defining the source of clean drinking water (potable).Start with a Percolation Test (aka PERC Test) if you need a septic system.

What degree of accuracy have you seen on your previous 9 between forecasted rent value and the value they assess upon application?