I'm hiring a new head of operations and I want to incentivize them to be excited when we add new properties to the portfolio.

well it could be as simple as your VA calling the company handling the sale ( law office or whatever ) and asking.. in high dollar value states one clue is a 30k opening bid.. hire a VA ( local one) to up date your spread sheet by going to the courthouse and pulling the info once a week on all foreclosures your interested in .. remember this is public information.. you just need someone to teach you how to do it.way back when I started in this business in the mid 70s my Dads Lawyer told me.. you want to be successful IN RE  go learn the courthouse.. so I spent hours learning how to pull out those big dusty ole books and read title history...

Please click on the links, give them a read, and share your thoughts in the comments.First is a post that I feel will help not get overwhelmed with the amount of info that is here on BP:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52761-the-simple-guide-to-getting-started-on-bp The second is a post that will help get you focused with your real estate investing goals:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52743-im-new-to-bp-any-advice-would-be-appriciatedThe last one is a post that will help you choose an “investor friendly” real estate agent.

It depends on how the property manager operates.

Please click on the links, give them a read, and share your thoughts in the comments.First is a post that I feel will help not get overwhelmed with the amount of info that is here on BP:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52761-the-simple-guide-to-getting-started-on-bp The second is a post that will help get you focused with your real estate investing goals:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52743-im-new-to-bp-any-advice-would-be-appriciatedThe last one is a post that will help you choose an “investor friendly” real estate agent.

And if you are doing self property management, you should have a separate operations LLC for all the public interfacing, hiring of contractors, dealing with tenants and leasing, etc. with a property management contract with the asset holding entity.

If one like me, keep it simple. 

Something simple, don't go crazy & buy a bunch of stuff in the ghetto until you've gotten some experience in this business & have figured out where your risk tolerance is at.

Contact @Selena Walsh and @Scott Jackelen, they have operated many STRs and also work with clients in managing STR properties on their behalf. 

@Dax Gurr my guy Brad would be great fit for your operation.