It rives me crazy when I see listings with horrible photos from a point and shoot or smart phone.  

I believe that a professional written letter with a request to purchase real estate, with added credentials (license, bonded, with the BBB, references and some background information about yourself will be more respected than a hand written note on yellow paper, the consumers today are very smart) I don't (I am often wrong) think they are going to get excited by a yellow letter.It is my opinion if you want to find deals, forget the mailings, get out on the street and start to meet people who want to sell their properties; for sale by owners, expired listings, internet leads, farm an area, talk to people, run ads, folks in tax sale or mortgage foreclosure. 

The management firm needs to be honest, experienced, smart enough and willing to get the job done.  

Anything in real estate so much depends on the location, the type assets, surrounding amenities and what you expect it to do for you.I use Lockstate remote WiFi locks because they are currently the best and solve all the problems a modern smart-lock needs to accomplish: getting the right people through the door at the right times without me having to be there.I run and experiment with various Airbnb solutions:Manage villas for clients in TuscanyHost a turn of the century restored 6 room apartment in a quaint German city near the beach.Manage varying types of other apartments, condos, and houses in various locations in the USA and Europe.Keep in mind when dreaming of the "big bucks", it takes time to:Set up and maintain your Airbnb and various other accounts.Set up each new listing.Communicate with nice and not so nice guests.Factor in vacancies and damages.Outsource and manage cleaning and fixing team.Your dwelling needs to make at least the same income compared to the long-term rental if you're only looking to grow equity.

This sounds smart and very prudent to me. 

Ok, now that you have taken your initial step, below are some quick links to get engaged. http://www.biggerpockets.com/startherehttp://www.biggerpockets.com/meetSetting up Keyword AlertsHow to Use @Mentions on BiggerPocketshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/ruleshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/inviteshttps://www.udemy.com/biggerpockets-real-estate-investing-course/ (video with 64 lectures and approx 6hrs of material)https://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing (Ultimate beginner's guide to REI)REI can be very daunting, but, before you go searching for that 1st buy, please take a few minutes to bone up on the tips in link below.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/12/19/real-estate-investing-success-smart-tips/REI books suggested by BPershttps://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/11/13/7-real-estate-books-beginner-investors/ (7 absolute must read books for beginner REI)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/04/14/best-real-estate-books/?

I would stay away from singles and smaller multis in the IRA. 4) Your plan to house hack and rent your current residence are smart while interest rates are low, and the US market is very favorable to owner occupants.

Your time here will be well spent.You didn't mention a niche of interest, so I added the most popular three below, for your review and selection of one or all.http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/02/22/buying-rental-property/ (how to buy a rental property)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/01/07/flipping-houses/ (step by step guide to flips)https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/01/31/ultimate-beginners-guide-real-estate-wholesaling-2/ (Ultimate beginners guide to wholesaling)Now that you have made the move, below are some links that will help with the navigation of the site. http://www.biggerpockets.com/startherehttp://www.biggerpockets.com/meetSetting up Keyword AlertsHow to Use @Mentions on BiggerPocketshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/ruleshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/inviteshttps://www.udemy.com/biggerpockets-real-estate-investing-course/ (video with 64 lectures and approx 6hrs of material)https://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing (Ultimate beginner's guide to REI)Before your 1st purchase, please ensure you visit the below link for some tips.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/12/19/real-estate-investing-success-smart-tips/REI books suggested by BPershttps://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/11/13/7-real-estate-books-beginner-investors/ (7 absolute must read books for beginner REIs)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/04/14/best-real-estate-books/?

utm_source=search&utm_medium=internal&utm_campaign=books (books recommended by BPers)Before making your 1st REI purchase please visit the link below for some useful tipshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/12/19/real-estate-investing-success-smart-tips/Simply, bone up on the areas that you need to expand knowledge in such as, Forums, Marketplace, Learn, Network, Analyze and Resources.Feast on the Podcasts, #askbp Podcasts, blogs and webinars Lastly, this site thrives on interactions and as such we encourage two way exchanges and look forward to educational and thought provoking ideas relevant to REI.

utm_source=search&utm_medium=internal&utm_campaign=books (books recommended by BPers)Before making your 1st REI purchase please visit the link below for some useful tipshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/12/19/real-estate-investing-success-smart-tips/Simply, bone up on the areas that you need to expand knowledge in such as, Forums, Marketplace, Learn, Network, Analyze and Resources.Feast on the Podcasts, #askbp Podcasts, blogs and webinars Lastly, this site thrives on interactions and as such we encourage two way exchanges and look forward to educational and thought provoking ideas relevant to REI.