Relevant info: they were a little difficult with any contractors not allowing entry or requiring specific scheduling beyond my several day notice.

They offer leads ( for sale) through direct mail which I will try next and see how things go. 

I am interested in beginning my real estate journey with short term rentals abroad, more specifically studio apartments in major metro cities around the world. 

It’s a great way to rub shoulders with other real investors in your area that can offer lots of advice and guidance. 

Consider using a local lender as they tend to be more familiar with the specific market you're investing in.

Based on my calculations and preliminary research, I have found that the Bay Area offers good returns from developing land, although acquiring level land and obtaining permits can be challenging.I have a few questions:1) Is it recommended to purchase a complete house plan from online sources like ePlans or similar websites and then customize the architectural design before submitting it to the municipality?

The fact that a lot of this data is now estimated has a lot of market experts calling into question whether this data is reliable—and provides an opening for entrepreneurial people and companies to look for other ways to measure the data.Fed meetings, minutes, and media interactionsWhile Federal Reserve meetings are when specific rate changes (or no changes) are announced, by the time the actual announcement happens, markets and rates rarely change too much since the move is generally predicted and priced in.

When looking for a PM, consider these criteria:1) the experience and credentials of the broker who supervises the company as well as the lead property manager2) the services they offer and how they line up with your needs and expectations3) the use of technology to make their job and yours easier 4) if they have a landlord-tenant attorney on retainer to help guide them on legal issues (not to mention the creation of lease agreement, landlord forms and notices, etc.)5) their process and policy for a) listing, b) application, c) tenant selection, d) routine inspections, e) maintenance services, f) property and tenancy update reports to you, g) lease enforcement policy, and f) move-out process.6) property owner reviews (caution: you can't always rely on Google reviews, because they may not reflect actual quality of the company, but still) 7) beneficial programs for both owner and tenant 8) a property management agreement that would indicate they know what they're doing and have the experience to know what matters in a PMA.

Sometimes those properties exceed 100% expenses to rent they bring in.Generally though, when I look at my overall portfolio at the end of the year, the expenses usually are right about 50%.So, it's an important number to keep in mind but consider the specifics of the property you are looking at more than any 'rule of thumb' measurement.

There’s not a specific “contractors” license.