I can't tell you anything about the market in Lubbock, TX because I don't live and operate there, but I can definitely tell you that if you want the life of a local real estate investor, this is probably the smartest step you'll ever take.Of course, I was operating/renovating four SFRs before I moved into my own duplex.

This is especially true if the property requires significant upkeep or if the heirs live far away.Owners of Distressed PropertiesSellers who own homes in poor condition and can't afford the necessary repairs may prefer to sell as-is rather than invest time and money into renovations.Landlords with Problematic TenantsLandlords who have been dealing with problematic tenants, frequent vacancies, or costly property damage might want to offload the property quickly to cut their losses and avoid further hassles.Owners Facing Major Life ChangesSignificant life changes, such as health issues, retirement, or downsizing, can motivate people to sell their property quickly.

We manage all of our own medium-term rentals, but would never do an STR.

He also owns propwire.com which I currently have a free account that shows the history of the property and allows Skip trace for a fee. 

Developing one-on-one relationships can yield insightful conversations and recommendations catered to your own objectives.BiggerPockets is one of the platforms that not only offers online forums but also connects you with local investors.

I would imagine you are incredibly busy with what you do for work and your own wine adventure.

Networking can open doors to opportunities you might not have found on your own.4.

I own a house that I STR as well but finances are tapped right now as we are right in the middle of a few flips so want to rent for now. 

You are an agent and you own properties so you should know this, but let me remind you: do not listen to a contractor who says you probably don't need a permit for this because they might not notice.

You need to do your own research on the areas you're interested in as well.