The second category is accounting, bookkeeping, expense tracking.For tools to help streamline the operational parts of being a landlord / real estate investor, a platform like Avail.co would be perfect.

I did this with another platform (Don't ask me for the platform as I won't tell you).I ended up raising a significant amount of capital, but there were several severe downsides.

However, a lot of properties are sold without a listing on any platform due to broker networks.

Caliber Home Loans uses the res.net platform.

As @Kent Verge mentioned, getting out of those 'rental communities' is what seems to make VRs work, and tying a long term renter to it... all the better, very nice platform Kent (maybe have that long term renter manage the short term rental as well?)

Thanks for the platform for us newbies to get started, and I look forward to building some good relationships on here.Bruce

I have learned a lot since I have joined Biggerpockets, let's give an enormous credit to the founder of this fabulous platform @Joshua Dorkin to put this together so people like you and I could share and learn from each other. 

Microsoft Excel - Can't live without itMicrosoft One Note - Keeping notes across multiple platforms, Evernote is a good option tooMicrosoft Power Point - For making pitch decks, Mac has competitive option too, can't remember the nameDropbox - Can't live without itChrome Browser - Most stable, ad free, light weightQuickbooks - I hate this software, but there is no alternative that accountants will accept without going to a multi-thousand dollar licensed big boy system

I recommend buying a condo/townhouse as a training platform.

I know others out there have done deals through the platform, and I'd love to hear a story of how the site helped you, and to know how many deals have been made possible because of the platform.Any thoughts?