Hi Everyone, I continue to dig into the Smokey Mountain region for STR's and am trying to learn more about the local areas before I commit to a visit down there.  

I originally grew up in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area, but for the past two years, I have been working as a software developer in lower Manhattan.I have basically zero background in real estate, but I hope to learn a lot from this community -- enough for my wife and me to invest in one or more rental properties within the next two-to-three years that will give us a nicer return beyond our retirement mutual funds. 

This isn’t an ordinary seminar .This is the key for you young people on the west coast fresh out of college Who don’t have any savings, any income ,and  no marketable skills aside  from regional beer pong champion.

You shouldnt focus/invest in all kinds of multifamily (ground up development, small multis BRRRR, large apartments syndication, medium size multifamily wholesale, etc).

Developing a skill and getting a good specialized education in college will assure you will make more than your less educated counterparts .

In Tampa region, or any Florida region, (please specify  the region) how much are you finding the sf price to be for installation labor on tile, vs glue down vinyl, vs floating vinyl?

Hello BP Community,Just wanted to introduce myself. I've been lurking for a couple months as I've been in avid learning mode. I have so many ideas on avenues in RE I'm interested in pursuing I admit at times it's over...

Here is one that I developed a few years ago when we used to bid at Florida auctions (Can't get formatting properly):1Property Search & Filter Search properties a minimum of 5 days in advance, valued between $XXK and $XXXK2Review Crime ReportsAvoid high crime and high vacancy areas3Determine ARVMake an informed decision of the Fair Market Value/After Repair Value based on comparables, tax assessment and physical condition4Enter Property Data into SystemRecord ARV, Assessed Value, Sq Ft, No.

I am approaching this casually at the moment, but it seems that the number of multi-family homes in the Phoenix and surrounding areas are very limited -- I guess it's a difference of culture or the fact that land is so cheap in the southwest that there isn't much demand for a duplex/triplex/4-plex.At any rate, I'd like to hear from anyone who has invested in this region.

Caught a lucky development wave and crushed it on appreciation gains.