I came across the quickbook tool by reading some online articles.

Perhaps I didn't mention it in the diatribe above but while protection of your current holdings is majorly important, it isn't everything, unless you play the ultra-conservative playstyle.

Major undertaking to do what the engineer is suggesting.

So I finally took the real estate course online and took my state exam, first attempt I got a 72 and you need a 75 to pass.

I also don't know if 'gross profit' is a standard metric (vs. net income as on line 24 of a schedule E) on STR income statements or not (again, I've never owned/managed this asset class) but on the surface it looks like you would have some direct labor costs (somebody needs to manage the inn, so to speak) and recurring utility costs at a minimum. 

You can also check their reviews online at Google, Facebook, or Yelp.

The major one is, they have low paid inexperienced agents. 

Major new requirements for short term rentals within city limits as I read it:Pay the city an annual fee ($275 in the first year, $100 o/o, or $125 non o/o in renewal years).Have the resident present during short term rentals.Not rent more than 50% of bedrooms.

If that's the case, I would highly recommend you trend very carefully and focus more so on whether what they teach adheres to Dodd-Frank and SAFE, aka major federal laws on residential financing transactions.

I would think that short term prices would suppress on SFH's but from a little bit of online research about the RE effects of other hurricanes, that seems not to always be the case as demand goes up as rescue money and recovery related personnel pour into the region.