Both NJ & NY have higher taxes, higher sale prices, and higher number of offers per listing. 

For me to get them to offer interior design pallet with all items to buy in every room of my 1800 sq foot cabin along with color pallete, everything down to light fixtures was going to cost me around 5K for their services.

Obviously there could be other details that can influence the outlook on the investment, but it seems like a good one to make an offer at least.

Before putting together an LLC I would study the following:- Understand what level of protection it actually offers you and understand how to operate the LLC so that you never jeopardize the "corporate vail." - Understand risk mitigation through insurances - Understand how building a rental portfolio under an LLC changes the debt options you use when closing deals. 

However, subsequent increases in interest rates caused a substantial reshuffling, reestablishing New York and Los Angeles as the dominant players.

Could also hire a good STR company that can market the property better, price strategically, and offer better guest experience since the owner emotions are moved, which in turn ups the revenue. 

Most lenders that offer nice looking terms are just that, nice looking.

Choose your property wisely - Multi-unit properties like triplexes and fourplexes offer potential economies of scale and income diversification.

I'm having trouble finding any company that will offer insurance.

If you had to cancel 6 under-contract properties is because you are offering too much.