So you may spend a lot more time looking for materials and spend more money on materials than many.As far as STR rentals are concerned....make sure you know the market and the sentiment of the neighbors...I would go knock on doors...talk to them....are they going to be supportive or make your life miserable.   

They can run like a well-oiled machine, they can make your life miserable, or they can destroy your property value.If the Board isn't acting, then you may need to join the Board yourself and whip it into shape.

If your friends won't do that and make you miserable, drop them - they are not good friends, and will hold you back.

Failed miserably and stretched myself for 2 years as it’s not my natural strength.

My tenants recently moved out and I found my beloved fig tree(about 20 years old) was topped and cut to its trunk.it is alive and looks miserable. my previously tenant also works for me as the property’s gardener( I paid them $70 a month). 

Once I had the deal and pitched the deal to him, it failed miserably because I wasn't prepared.After reading Matt Faircloth's book, though, it opened my eyes to a second approach, without ditching the one you mentioned.

Your life will be miserable if you have four or five roommates with parking for two.

No amount of money is going to compensate for a miserable spouse so if the idea is re-locating to some cold water only garret in the Tenderloin to save money, forget about it. 

.- Finance Of America, did 2, everyone of late I've talked to said it was a miserable and LONG closing and they (and I) will never use them again

Do it now before they find a way to make your life more miserable.