Having this experience with your first deal can help you identify what services and processes you want your future management companies to provide and follow. 

The new Dallas rules have been challenged, but even if lifted, you know where the city hall sentiment is....so I expect them to potentially make things difficult on STR operators. 

I expect the RE attorneys will contribute more to the home buying process and make some more money.For the last group of people who still prefer to use their own agent for showings and advice, they will pay a flat fee per showing, but they will demand more value from the agent instead of simply opening a door.

The drafter will tell you what the expected timeline for design will be, timing for permits with city, what the lot and zoning allow you to do… etc The contractor : has to be someone that knows how to do the work (experience), is not too expensive so that the investment makes sense at the end, but is also not unrealistically cheap, to the point that they won't finish the project or they will simply run off with your money… Assuming you have an honest and experienced well priced contractor, then they will give you an understanding of costs for the entire project (a ball park bc you won't know 100% until you get RTI permits from the city (approval)). 

Most people (in my opinion) get ahead of themselves and start future pacing by picturing their life as a landlord/real estate investor 15 years from now.

However, this means forfeiting the potential future appreciation of your current property and could entail a time-consuming process of finding suitable replacement properties.

Especially if you are just starting to shop, you might be able to use these agents as your buyer's agent in the future.

Two of the bigger criteria is expected appreciation and expected risk. 

Once people decide to leave their commitment is to their future situation and yours is to your new tenant. 

I am young and inexperienced, but eager to learn about REI so I can control my future.