The type of self-directed IRA that will best suit your situation and goals will drive the process of identifying the right firm to work with.A self-directed IRA custodian is a processing entity.

I'm looking to understand market costs across the country and STR strength to identify potential markets to invest in.

As an investor with less time to manage, is it better to do group investment and have them identify, buy, renovate and rent? 

Here's why:Let's say I sign a tenant to a one-year lease, and 3 months in, their personal/professional situation changes, and they break their lease and move out after a 30-day notice (or maybe less).I am required, by law in most areas, to "mitigate my loss" by remarketing the unit, making it rent-ready, and starting up my lead generation machine to get applicants, funnel them into my screening system, identifying good candidates and ultimately leasing them up.

I've started building a doc aligned with those parameters to help identify target markets. 

Once the suspect is identified then they will show you a picture of the suspect to see if you know them or not.

I currently live in Virginia, but unclear on how to identify if my backyard is the best place to start wholesaling properties off-market. 

However, the fourth picture in the far corner below the left window, that looks like mold to me.I recommend hiring a mold inspector to do a visual/instrumental inspection and sample areas where mold is identified if any is.

Are you able to identify areas with stronger rent growth than the rest of the market?

Move your cursor around and identify all of the storage locations per town.