Strong agreements that protect your position in the deal, and recording a Memorandum of Option with the county will go a long way to protecting your interest. 

There are couple more but that will take too long to detail. 

The strategies I'm most interested in are Flips, BRRRRs, small multifamily as well as short/medium term rentals.

RPM Sunshine City and New Western are both out there, but before jumping in, ask them if they invest in their own deals, if they have real investor success stories, and if they’re giving you actual data or just hype.

The vacation rental buyers I see here in Colorado that are having the most success have something a little unique.

In particular know exactly what you negative equity position will be and how long it will take at conservative cash flow numbers (near 50% of rent going to expenses other than P&I).  

Play the long game and hold onto that equity. 

.✅ Ensure your mortgage allows renting—some loans have restrictions.If your financial cushion can handle these factors, you’re in a great position to rent out your home successfully!

would get estimates and see how long to recover the money and your long term plan for the property

I can definitely attribute a lot of my success over the last few years due to the connections I made on Bigger Pockets and the things I've just simply learned by listening to and reading all the great info available here!