Great that you joined the site!

Please click on the links, give them a read, and share your thoughts in the comments.First is a post that I feel will help not get overwhelmed with the amount of info that is here on BP:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52761-the-simple-guide-to-getting-started-on-bpThe second is a post that will help get you focused with your real estate investing goals:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52743-im-new-to-bp-any-advice-would-be-appriciatedThe last one is a post that will help you choose an “investor friendly” real estate agent.

Great that you joined the site!

@Ian Ippolito - Thanks - I just went back to your site, where the guides and background reading are the clearest I've found on the web, and immensely helpful.  

RE sites I mention valuate the house at between $182K,, $187K and $187K.

I would sell the exchange property for $420K and buy the empty lot through the exchange for $200K and take out a building loan for $220K.If I own the property first I can make the first two months of improvements (site prep, utilities, permits, and foundation) before I sell it to myself through the exchange and make sure it is done by the end of the 180 day clock. 

Owning/managing an STR is not as simple or straightforward as standard rentals and to successfully run them you need to have good systems and procedures in place to sustain them.   

Pick different potentials in the same investment market...run the numbers before and have a list of what you need to know or look at, then run the numbers after...depending on the property and intent use one of the calculators on this site for every one...work it as and then use the tool to calculate what it would need to be  --  if they are the same then it might be the right deal.Once you have this then you can move to other surrounding markets easier...just make sure you adjust your assumptions to align with that market.One final note and this depends on your area, here in FL you have to account for what your property taxes "will be" not what they are. 

The simple fact is that even with a "team" of people managing a property, the attention to detail and personalization is just not there. 

Welcome to the site Todd.