Forcing appreciation on properties requiring work is a longer term goal but I’d like to start with a simpler project.  

Starting with a smaller property or a few fix-and-flip projects can help you build equity, gain credibility with lenders, and better understand the process before scaling up.Securing funding for larger projects can be challenging without prior experience, but options like hard money loans might be worth exploring.

Quote from @Scott Scoville: Just finished one of our bigger projects.

@Ryan Cousins it's really going to depend on YOUR analysis/projections of what you think the property will be worth in the future.You'll want to compare that to any capital gains tax-savings if you sell now.

I would not use our money for the next project.

If you start a JV in name but do not give your partners proper control and decision-making rights and the deal goes bad you open yourself up to serious consequences which can lead to SEC violations with extremely high fines.Lastly, you can offer the project up to investors who have no voting or control.  

Didn't work out because I still have a project hanging in Upper Chichester (Philadelphia, PA).

The market does offer lower priced investment opportunities and higher cashflow returns, with ongoing revitalization projects like the DORA boosting appreciation potential.

If you decide to revisit STRs, you might want to explore properties where you can project expenses independently, such as using local STR forums or online tools to estimate maintenance, management, and occupancy costs.For networking and strategy-building, you might find local meetups or groups beneficial.

Also, the ability to find good deals with an accurate budget to complete the project up front from some good project managers/general contractors.