Therefore, education FIRST to get the fundamentals and learn the real estate language.

I am looking to learn the fundamental DOs and DONTs as well as some tips from experienced investors. 

Or, does the IRS require me to put the business portion of the interest and taxes in Schedule E?

Find a cabin that already has STR - find one of the rental companies and see if any for sale with history.Dont buy a property based on the presumed STR rental buy based on fundamentals first and regular rental potential. 

Memphis/Little Rock), it is common to have a carport instead of a garageD) Year Built: Post 1940s (ideally, but for example my duplex in Indy is 1905, so its also case by case)E) Cash on Cash: 12% or higherF) Rehab including updates to CapEx items 5 years life or less (Water Heater, HVAC, etc.) 10 years life or less (roof)G) Rent to Value Ratio: At least 1% or higher, ideally 1.30% or higher (this is generally a buffer to protect me when the market corrects in the near future)I highly recommend you really invest the couple hundred bucks to fly out there cheap/stay at an airbnb couple days and check out the different providers and their quality of rehabs, as well as see the neighborhoods for yourself.

Some things can’t be communicated over phone/e-mail.

I think you will find R/E investors all do things differently so you need to do what makes the most sense for you and whatt you want for your future.

.: When you're evaluating a rental that you currently own, i..e trying to calculate the Cash on Cash return, do you use the numbers from the time of purchase?

Florida tried to pass a bill this year to require ESA certification to be from your primary physician and the bill was aborted.The fundamental issue is not these online letters are not endorsed by real doctors, they ARE. 

O&E title searches will only show ownership history and recorded encumbrances / lis pendens.Like you said, they are checked with a couple phone calls.