My niche was looking for areas that were run down but getting ready to gentrify (or so I thought, sometimes it's just a guess or gut feeling :-)Drive around the areas you have selected as possible money-makers and then drive, drive, drive.

@Ben LeeIf you can move the equity to another deal that makes you more money then sell the condo and buy a SFH. 

Finally, most people I've met in the country (and elsewhere) who love to stay in short-term rentals and dislike all-inclusive generally dislike Punta Cana.Of course, it's another story if you buy (partly) for lifestyle purposes, as you might just be happy enjoying your property and covering your costs.Thank you for the insight, I know a few friends making money there thru Airbnb and I was looking for more insights  I’m assuming you don’t own real estate? 

In terms of cash reserves outside of that we don't have anything substantial saved (our savings went to the earnest money) so our priority is to pay down the HELOC and increase income.

At 6-months no rent you're bleeding money. 

You could also use hard money or rental financing, but you'd need to make sure it will allow beginner investors.

Now we do 20+ flips/brrrs per year and raise money for them.

Are you ok with giving someone money and losing some of the control?

Where would this rent money be, if its not in a bank account?

Aggressively pay off the mortgage and save a lot of money on interest.