Since you’re still figuring out where to invest, look for areas with strong rental demand, good schools, low crime, and potential for future growth.

(and potentially get a better deal with PM cost should we employ one).

The Banderas Bay area (from PV to Punta Mita) has lots of potential with the economic growth and the tourism industry expanding north towards San Blas with over 30% appreciation in the past 3 years.

The "land basis" cannot be depreciated, so your depreciable portion will be lower than $350k.We typically consider $1 million in building basis as a rule of thumb where it makes sense to evaluate the potential benefits.

Again, free, it advances the title company.Another freebie professional would be a CPA, another phone call, they are willing to meet groups with potential clients.Another, call an insurance broker who provides property, liability and professional liability insurance, they are motivated just as the CPA and attorney.Find an owner of a real estate school for agents!

It sounds like you’re in a great position to succeed, given your extensive renovation expertise.As a fellow real estate investor, I completely understand how challenging it can be to choose the right design elements, especially when you want to make a space appealing to potential buyers.

Here’s why this can be a great option:You can lock in a lower interest rate on the HELOC since it's based on a primary residence rather than an investment property.You keep your existing home, allowing it to appreciate while your tenants cover the mortgage.You now have two properties working for you—one generating rental income and another as your new primary or next investment.For analyzing rental cash flow, some key numbers to look at include:Expected Rent – Research what similar properties in your area are renting for.Mortgage & HELOC Payment – If you use a HELOC, factor in the monthly cost.Operating Expenses – Taxes, insurance, maintenance, potential property management.Cash Flow – What’s left after expenses and mortgage payments.If you do decide to sell instead, you can also use that equity strategically—whether for a strong down payment on a multi-unit, house hack, or another single-family rental.On the networking side, attorneys and other key professionals can be tough to find in everyday settings, but real estate investor meetups, Facebook groups, and local REI events are gold mines for connecting with them.

I want to be able to find potential markets/listings nationally based on the return. 

Give you a cool place to visit (and potentially write off).

You have to weigh the benefit of the insurance claim payment versus potentially having your carrier cancel you and perhaps get black-balled by the insurance industry.