.), utilities, TV/internet, landscaping maintenance, marketing, credit card fees, lodging taxes, etc.

Once you've identified your market and where you'll be purchasing to house hack (or if you'll do it out of the home you're in today) you'll be off to the races to start your journey.

Start attending local real estate meet ups in your market.

Best there is at navigating the complex landscape out here and helping you make the right purchase to be competitive in the STR market. 

Combine this househacking with joint venturing on some commercial property around the same market (5-20 units) with a few other investors that compliment your skillset and viola, you will obtain 30-50 units in 3-5 years. 

Despite the national single family home market reaching record values the 7 markets in the article are still valued below their 2022 peaks.

What market?  

A bank, or credit union, or anyone issuing a mortgage, can earn 5% interest from treasury bonds, or a money market account.

The market currently not supporting our initially projected sales prices.

The most conservative way to break into the investing market.