Our accounting system is an Excel spreadsheet, and we'd like to purchase accounting software. 

Househacking is an excellent way to start, but if you don't have enough money for a down payment the best thing in my opinion is education and networking.

Also, you want to guard against mold damage.I've used Belfor for the water damage in the past and they've done an excellent job.  

@Ryan Moyer, Excellent response, you have given me lots to think about!

Very task focused and require excellent training materials or one-on-one training as they memorize steps to get the job done instead trying to understand what they are doing.

The terms are normally excellent.

Baltimore School for the Arts is right there and that's one of top public high schools in Baltimore.

Could be a combination of factors as I am an excellent closer.I have spoken with Ryan from your group.

You can find it in the Events under Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing - Philly.

And neither of our STRs are low rent houses either, quite the contrary.....OP, I wouldn't stress or over analyze this aspect...of course, plan and keep track (I used an Excel spreadsheet to budget this), but don't even start to obsess about this aspect of the business....it's a nothingburger....