(particularly true for single family homes)  Tom and Aaron may have different experiences.  

Gentrification opportunities, As gentrification continues in certain parts of the city, early investors in these up-and-coming areas may see substantial returns on their investments.I would love to know what people think about investing in the Philadelphia area and if you are an investor, i'd love to connect to hear your thoughts and experiences.

This will be my first time purchasing an STR, and I have no prior experience.

@John Underwood what were some of the experiences you've heard?

That almost always works in my experience and then you dont have the headaches of a battle.

It might be best to hold off until you hear of other BP members who have experience with them. 

Sure, all channels can work, even seller financing or foreclosures, but in my experience, a well-connected agent can uncover hidden gems that often outperform the trickier avenues.Since the post is still fresh, I’m curious.. do you foresee other potential add ons that might elevate the returns even further, like corporate housing partnerships or short-term seasonal leases?

Find someone who can help you dial down on what YOU want as an asset, and has experience with that kind of property. 

Secondly, you'll definitely want to confirm with a tax strategist with experience in the STR space to confirm if the setup you describe will pass as an STR with the IRS. 

If experience is your concern, you can easily partner up with another experienced investor in your area to help balance the risk out.