alex, i am like you. but this country was not built on savers, my friend....people want things. and they want them NOW, darn it. it's our constitutional right to need them asap.lol

The reason that I say these two is because you are going to need a lender on every transaction (except for creative deals).Also, an agent will be the one to open doors for you as they appear.

Meaning once i pull that 500K im going to need to spend it asap to get renters to pay off the loan so I don't want to buy one property thats just covering half the loan while feeling pressured to buy another fast. 

I'd recommend toning it down.

You can absolutely furnish less expensively buying quality used items, but this takes a lot more time and effort (and probably some muscle and a truck) than ordering all new online.

In order to reach a higher cash flow your going to need to purchase one or more 2-4 unit multifamily rentals or a property in a high traffic amenity area for STR - VRBO/AIRBNB. 

Flex a muscle and a guy had two barrels pointed at him with a 45 slug waiting to come out of each one, and i could reload from a vest pocket in 2 seconds, well maybe 3.

Business language or casual conversational tone?

There are plenty of students and medical professionals here who will continue to need a room to live in (and have the money to pay for it regardless of the broader economy).Best of luck!

@Sherri Spruill After years of hosting weddings and events and then sitting on boards approving new venues my number one recommendation is to make certain you have more bathrooms than you ever could possibly hope to need for the number of people you might have.