You would need to ask contractors.You buy something already built and renovate, you get tenants in and start making money that much sooner.

Perhaps the person who helped me last time didn't know.

Pay the fees, $40/person in SWFL 2-3 days4.

You can leverage your money to purchase more property, you'll increase your return, you'll earn more, and you get tax benefits.Read a few books on real estate investing to learn the power of leverage.

We "lose" money on a cashflow basis, but completely comfortable with that as this is more of a 2nd home that renters help us pay for.

It makes sense to rent and save up that extra money to apply towards a future purchase. 

There has been so much AirBnB panic over the last year and a half, yet I have not experienced any of it personally, actually the opposite.We changed our pricing strategy for 2024 based on some market analysis from the previous year in an effort to increase lead times, average stay, and ultimately revenue. 

So you have your first rental at the top, it cash flows, you then use that money for the next property, and then another property. 

If you were to use IRA money to purchase real estate with recourse debt, then a portion of your returns may be taxable.

We "lose" money on a cashflow basis, but completely comfortable with that as this is more of a 2nd home that renters help us pay for.