Also, I have posted many times, do not do business without a trusted team.

I think the challenge is that local meetups tend to be held in restaurants that cost money and they don't attend.

I use Anderson business advisors for my setup.Good Investing...

I am turning 18 in less than 3 weeks and can say I have been a business owner throughout my high school journey, from small local hustles to building products in my basement to sell online.I am an aspiring Real Estate investor reading many books and conducting hours of research hoping to build an impressive real estate portfolio in the future!

maybe meet up to discuss business? 

Does my down payment have to come from my business bank account?

2. how would it being a business asset impact tapping into the equity?

Long-term rental and a short-term rental are two completely different business/investments.You should understand what each requires and see if you are comfortable with them.Short-term rentals, on paper, generate more income but require more work.

My sister and I are working to partner up for a real estate business.

All pay electronically through our business DBA.