Excellent point about Motivation! 

Make up a quick Excel sheet listing all of them and then all of your criteria such as interest rate, LTV, are there closing costs, etc.

I would get @Brian Burke’s excellent book The Hands-Off Investor to teach you how to vet the best syndicators and deals.  

I'm looking for a real estate photographer for our STR in the Gulf Shores area - does anyone out there have any recommendations? 

I open up a credit card specific to the property and put all expenses that I can on that.Use an excel spreadsheet to teach expenses, there are plenty of templates around online, you can look for one you like to work with and modify it for your needs and to match IRS expense categories.

Excellent points.I wonder how many people get into this due to all the hype and then get out when they aren't making much money for the work because they didn't buy the right property at the right price.

I have zero debt, an excellent credit score, and a stable W-2 job in Civil Service.

@Joe S.A lot of places in northern Indiana have houses around this price point and an excellent labor market to support good tenants.

You should build a spreadsheet in excel that models your plan.

Of course if you can get in there, it's been pretty rock solid for decades.Totally agree with Taylor - BP books are an excellent starting point.