I recommend you avoid Section 8 until you've spent a few weeks learning more about it and deciding whether it would be worth it to you.One thing you need to know up front is that there's a lot of extra paperwork involved.

Since we are not looking for something too fancy, I am optimistic that we'll manage to find a place we like that doesn't break the bank.

I've just decided not to invest in that section of town.  

whatever you decide, since their going to be your neighbor, I'd treat them as such.

I'm not sure how to decide when to use what?

We inherited a management company and stayed with them for 5 years.

Ask any property manager who's taken over a building or two from a self-service landlord.There are two things one needs to get into real estate investing. 

I was thinking this could be a good strategy to scale and keep costs managable. 

Hi All! I am under contract on my first STR beach property. $1 million home. 20% down. 800k Mortgage. The plan is to put the property in an LLC at the onset (I heard this was easier/better rather than putting in perso...

Form a team: Assemble a trustworthy group of experts, such as a mortgage broker, property inspector, real estate agent, and maybe even a property manager.