I might take a different strategy.

My suggestion, is you visit all these potential locations with your family, and see which area calls to you, which areas you can see yourself enjoying, and allow the STR/MTR strategy take the second seat to your enjoyment and lifestyle vision for you and your family.

Great you have 1 good agent - now try to find more and simultaneously develop other strategies to find deals off-market.

The plan to move into the duplex and then out after a year or two, and do that again, is the strategy that my family has used.  

Can you recommend any strategies for finding and vetting a reliable and communicative law firm specializing in real estate transactions, particularly those that might not be local to the property?

Projects in this price range are our bread and butter -- custom builds, whole house remodels and additions. 

Thank you.Before jumping into any given business, you need to figure out who your target customer is first.

Let's connect and discuss some tips and strategies to kickstart your journey here. 

Any advice or even critique on my strategy is welcome as I’m definitely still learning a ton every day. 

Questionable strategies.