Additionally, could anyone recommend the best platform for listing STR and MTR properties tailored to traveling nurses in the Birmingham area?

Can you recommend any funding companies or lenders for my first project?

Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.So, when investing in areas they don’t really know, investors should research the different property Class submarkets.

So that the BP community can find you more easily and learn more about you, I'd recommend filling out your profile. 

@Will Boller I would highly recommend Hostfully.

I've seen a lot of people recommend buying a MFH with the VA loan and then house hack/ make improvements, or if a MFH isn't available, do the same with a SFH and then move out after a year and repeat with a new property.

Does anyone have a title company that they'd recommend out that way?

I would highly recommend that.

Do you have any recommendations on where i should start?

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?