For example, we cannot find a good deal in Houston on the MLS to save our lives, but in San Antonio there are a bunch. 

Quote from @Braeden Warg: Thank you for the clarification and information.I live in Cabarrus County and have experience in residential and commercial construction.

If you aren't going to be living in Texas then it would be tough to do a house hack there.

Quote from @Ryan Moyer: Quote from @Nick Velez: Hey Anthony,I have a few STR's in Gainesville and have lived here for about 7 years now and know several people with STR's as well.

. :)This is especially true if you rely on furnishedfinder.com as your primary lead source (which you shouldn't, but that's another post) as when you make that connection with a prospective resident, you are selling yourself as a landlord as much as you are the property as a place to live.

I'd like to purchase an STR (I probably should have said that), being that I live in South Florida, Orlando isn't too far, but also not close enough that I can drop by anytime, so I thought I'd need a PM, or perhaps just a great team in place as far as a mechanic and cleaner, realtor and lender.Thanks again!  

I'll let others chime in on their experiences, but from a motivational perspective, I think attending live events and getting the "conference high" is something that only happens through in-person connections and being in the same room with investors who are eagerly pursuing their real estate/financial goals. 

The best market is likely a "Good" cash flow market that you have some ties to, in some way shape or form, or one that is a reasonable drive from where you live, if practical/possible. 

Ideas for some of the paragraphs: - Future Setting: where you live, what you see from your front porch or backyard, what your kitchen/gym look like. - Family: Kids? 

Are you wanting to find something within an hour of where you live or are you open to something farther away?