A well-located STR will beat LTRs like a drum...you win x 2, the monthly income is 3-5x greater, and you get a nicer property (because you bought a house in a better area) that will appreciate more as time goes by.And the clincher: you can always turn a STR into a LTR, but you cannot turn all LTRs into STRs.There is little reason to even have this conversation....find a nice house in a nice neighborhood in a desirable vacation city/area.

@James Middleton I recommend you reach out to @Mark Byers and @Rob Drum for all your B'ham needs. 

They will have a very tough time getting past the stage of drumming up significant capital.

We want our two properties (purchased in a package deal) to be "cash cows" in the short term horizon"}, you WILL come to the conclusion that the BEST use for all that early-gained equity will be to:-(drum roll).....

Appreciation I know is not something that most folks think about because they get cash flow drummed into their head and that appreciation is a bonus.. but its a huge part of the equation long term..

Usually an "Erickson machine" which is a hand operated drum or "top snake" cable machine will extract a couple handfuls of hair at about 4 to 10 linear feet down the drain.This is the usual fix.If this does not solve your problem I reccomend the services of a professional drain cleaning company.These folks have rolling workshops with drain equipment of every description include fiber optic cameras that can inspect drains as small as 2" in diameter.Choose a firm that strictly specializes in drain cleaning opposed to genral plumbing.These guys solve problems like yours everyday ,,,theres quite a lot to it actually,,,and these guys have seen EVERYTHING believe me,,,Lynn if you indeed have broken remnants of tile or concrete in your shower drain it will be very difficult to correct in a "slab job" house.You may request a technician to attempt vacumning out the remnants with a "wet dry vacumn".He can then a attempt to clear it with a cable machine or a high pressure "Hydro Jetter" machine.If you had a raised foundation house of course you would have the option of a plumber working under the problem area and "chopping out " the section of clogged pipe and replacing it with new material.This is one of the many reasons I do not like nor will I invest in slab houses.Good luck Lynn and hope this helpsDave DoyleLos Angeles

It came from those pounding the fiat currency drum above.

Most contractors in my area *are so busy they don’t have time to be online drumming up business !

@Rob Drum I do plan to visit the area meet local investors as well as network with out of state investors in the market i will invest.

Yes, like everyone else, I would love to drum up business; but if you knew me personally you may realize that I actually am here to help.