If you operate an STR, gross income is your total rent paid by your guests, before any subtractions.To figure out your taxes, you take this gross income and subtract from it all allowable business expenses: marketing, education, technology, licenses and fees (including Airbnb and credit card fees), office expenses, business driving and so on.

Plus 90% of repairs can be put on a credit card.  

Sorry I know this one is going to be painful for many rookie investors just getting started who want to live on the beach with their mail order cash, but this is not they way investing works. 

Post cards are not necessarily cheap.

Will they find the property send you a contact and then a thank you card or will they provide resources for tenant improvements, get tenants, stabilize the units, plan for the exit etc...

Example https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/55/topics/1210303-rooki...

All letters, a mixture of letters and post cards or what and how often?

I’m a rookie investor and I househacked my first deal and went through the tough times with self managing but it’s the education I feel is necessary for the future deals.

We make money from value add features and services: credit card fees (ACH is 100% free), credit reporting for tenants, insurance policies (both renter’s insurance and landlord), our lease creation and e-sign feature.

There are a lot of assets in Columbus that are basically turn key properties, and even if you have some minor renovations (5k-10K)I would recommend trying to go after an interest-free credit card AFTER you are approved and close for your loan.