If I buy betting the neighborhood will improve, the increase in revenue is totally dependent on outside factors over which I have no control.  

The market is much more approachable than the Austin market, and there is solid growth and development happening there.I jumped on loopnet, and started finding brokers to call.

Others swear by Airbnb, but I believe price point, length of booking allowed, quality of property are major factors in who books and on which platform.

Having a real estate development company/ real estate holding company is the end goal but I just wanted input from all the pros out there on what would be best!!!

I've found that trust is one of the biggest factors that can make your loan process go smoothly.

they were in business 20 some years took in 100 of millions in due diligence fee's at 5 to 10k a piece.. there targets were newbie developers who had bigger complicated projects that no one would fund when you have little to no experience. 

Did you factor in Management fees (it will be more for a vacation rental), cleaning services etc or are you planning to have family and friends help you manage from OOS?

But you will probably develop an interest in a few specific areas of real estate.Hone in on those areas. 

Less than 5 doors and rent income is not a major factor as long as you meet the debt service ratio.

A lot of farmland around DM being bought up and then built into condo units and/or developments and strip malls.