But they'll cash flow even with property management and I can pull most if not all of my money back out on the refi because of the LTV.So I guess this is the right method for me to be pursuing right now. 

Hey @Matthew Samson, regarding "figuring out the financials" for 0-5 small properties, you can do this easily yourself just using excel or another free method.

@Maxwell Hinesshort term - BRRRR method, for example.buy with cash or hard money, rehab with HELOC money, then refinance and pay it all back.you never want a HELOC as part of a long term situation.

I would use AirDNA and "the enemy method" to see the most successful STRs in the area.

Preferably, you or the seller have a method that can be set to autopay to make both of your lives easier.Hope it helps!

If by real estate business you’re implying you have little or no money to invest but are contemplating using one of the guru inspired methods (subject to, “wholesaling” , fix n flip) to create cash flow, I’d encourage you to do research on the true success/failure rate of people who engage in these endeavors, the amount of money the successful operators spend monthly on marketing, and the real time commitment and knowledge and experience necessary for success.  

Register for guru courses that cover the topics of the BRRR method and subto financing2.

I have my accounts set up in the "Profit First" method by Mike Michalowicz, and so far, things are going great!

The other way is called the Enemy Method, where you go to Airbnb and Vrbo, look at your direct competitors, and figure out how full their calendars are, at what prices, keep a tally of their income, and make a guess as to their yearly gross.

I have found lots of heirs with that simple method.