Hiring a property management company with experience in the markets you're considering can be a game-changer.Have you identified which markets you want to invest in?

There are several articles that do an exceptional job of explaining who, what, where, why and how tax payers qualify for the ‘STR Loophole’ listed here:The Short Term Rental Tax Loop Hole: A Game Changer for W-2 Wage EarnersThe Short Term Tax Rental Loop Hole: What Investors need to know The implications on the Oregon and California Coastal STR market is a strengthening buyer pool for luxury rentals in the $750-1.5M+ range.

I gravitate towards "red states" given the landlord-friendly laws and relative ease of evictions, which unfortunately are unavoidable in the buy and hold game.

If you're going to need a mortgage, you're locked out of the game. 

With $1100 in cashflow, a skilled investor who understands the section 8 program can kill the game.

I am new in this game and here to learn everything.

It's simply a numbers game. 

I am a little late to the game and have been told several times throughout my adult life to invest in real estate, but I ignored the advice.

Agree 100% especially if they don't have capital and a capital sponsor wants 75% or more - something better than nothing especially when you don't have skin in the game 

So many "investors" bury themselves in complex, expensive situations to protect themselves from some unknown threat to their non-existent business.Figure out if you have any shooting skills (or even enjoy the game) before spending money on $600 Nikes or an indoor basketball court.