Husband and I are purchasing a property as our private residence that also has a small cottage on it we plan to STR. 

Also, the lender won’t take back the property in leu of payment-we asked.

Welcome @Rebecca Morris,These are the 10 first steps I would recommend to get started in REI (real estate investing):1) Educate Yourself: Read books, take online courses, and attend seminars about real estate basics, market trends, and investment strategies.2) Set Clear Goals: Define what you want to achieve in real estate—whether it’s buying a home, investing in rental properties, or flipping houses.3) Choose Your Niche: Decide if you want to focus on residential, commercial, or industrial real estate, or perhaps a mix of these.4) Research the Market: Analyze your local real estate market.

We have 2 class A/B+ properties on the west side.

Hello everyone,I sold my investment property last year and realized a capital gain.

some of the charges are driving with a suspended license criminal littering/ pollution on private property no mandatory insurance unsafe lane changecriminal trespassing...showed bonded out and later dismissed disorderly conduct...later dismissed driving with no head lanps

This means you are saying that you intend to live in the property for the next year. 

This property isn’t in an A class neighborhood by any means and really just looking to update enough to be able to be livable.

New Jersey is notorious for having terrible wholesalers.How many properties have you wholesaled in the last year?

To focus on your area, research neighborhoods for trends, look for properties near military bases or colleges, and consider long-term rentals or short-term rentals in coastal areas and tourism hubs.