I'd start off with reading Avery Carl's book "Short-term rental, long-term wealth" if you haven't already.

Is that off the appraisal value or the purchase price? 

A contract for deed doesn’t transfer legal title, it’s a contract that states title WILL BE transferred when the loan is paid off, or a specific amount of equity is accumulated in the property.  

Trusting others and handing off work.

You can find videos/articles online on how to get the basement dry, but the basic process is: 1) turn off all electric to the basement (to avoid electrocution from the water), 2) run pumps to get the standing water out of the basement (sounds like you're already doing this)3) remove all furniture and items from the basement,4) once you've pumped out the standing water from the basement, rent a wet/dry carpet cleaner/extractor from home depot, and use it to extract as much water as possible from the carpets (they'll be much lighter and easier to move once you get the water out). 5) After you've used the carpet extractor to get most of the water out of the carpet, remove all carpet and get it out of the house for drying (if you're trying to salvage the carpets), or throw the carpet out.

I thought it would be valuable to kick off a discussion about the latest economic headlines and their impacts on our strategies.1️⃣ Interest Rates on the Move: With recent fluctuations in interest rates, how are you adjusting your financing strategies for acquisitions and holding properties?

Congratulations on getting the primary residence paid off.

. $500k becomes $350k and throws off taxable NOI, etc.) 

Even if you don't have an agent, you can go to Open Houses when they have them on more investor properties and get your feet wet off the computer and in the real world.

You are far better off buying a stand-alone vacation rental and paying for a hotel room when you need it.