We are looking at smart locks for our STR.

For example, researching deals on specific items, like AK47 skins, can be a smart way to start building your inventory without a huge upfront investment.

Taking action before you know anything is going to real estate investing meetups, asking smart questions in the forums, building relationships, reading books, and listening to podcasts.

Use it to quickly assess properties and estimate renovation costs, which will help you make smart offers.Join Local Real Estate Groups: Get involved in local investment groups.

Focusing on cash flow moving forward is definitely a smart move.Looking forward to seeing your journey unfold and chatting more with you.

This is why paying high cost upfront to get higher (or just making) CF isn't smart. 

Being a realtor has also exposed to me to so many smart and interesting people so I fully agree with your positive #4.

However, navigating the legal and financial complexities of Subto deals requires careful attention, so I’d recommend working with a real estate attorney to ensure everything is structured correctly.Securing private money for the closing is a smart move, but ensure your terms allow for flexibility in case of unexpected repairs or delays in cash flow.

The smart thing to do is house hack.

I agree—interest rates and equity play a huge role, and it's smart to pull out equity when there’s potential for better returns elsewhere.