Timing the market right now in hopes of locking in a better sale price is tough, from the cyclical standpoint.A great tactic, if you have a VA or FHA loan on the property, is to market the property with an assumable loan so the buyer can retain your loan.

I would like to start with 3/2 SFH OR small MFHs (ideally duplex) while I gain my REI muscles.

Be open to supporting 1031, owner financing, multi year phased purchase, retaining them for a year, putting down deposits for options to buy, whatever else helps them.  4.   

The banker told me that tenants with money will have to pay an attorney as opposed to getting free legal aid, and any attorney that realizes there's no chance of winning will go no further than a scare letter without a retainer.

This way, their rewards customers can take advantage of their points however the STRs retain their local flavor.

I think if I didn't have the asset to draw on to get it done and retain the equity I would look for a partner to help finish it out.

Drop a $1,500 retainer and get started resolving this.Best of luck

They may ask for a retainer (deposit).  

Usually you have to give them a retainer to do this.

It is on an steep up-slope such that it is 2 stories in the front and 1 story in the back ... the 1st floor in the front has only the 2 car garage, ~100 SF unfinished basement, and concrete block retaining/structural walls with crawl space well before the back of the house.