Thanks for the tip.

Definitely worth a listen to see if you can pick up any tips from his method.

Also, do your own evaluation of the properties, do not take their numbers without checking.Thanks for the tips!

Solicitation is against the rules here at BP so you won’t find the answer to your exact question, and most of these “vacation rental university” type places are a total joke anyway.Here's what you need: A property management software A pricing software Great cleaning crews A smartphone.

Any tips for properly running the numbers for both?

I don’t get to meet and discuss my expectations with a contractor face-to-face, though my PM probably does a better job than I would do.Here are some tips that I’d highly recommend for starters or those who are on their way but still a newbie like me:Find a broker who is also going to manager your properties.

What would you do differently, and any tips on speaking with sellers directly?

After that I will likely reduce the 401k to 4% and contribute a high percentage to the a Roth IRA to take advantage how powerful the compounding interest is at my age, like you suggested.Thanks for the tip on the store credit card. 

@Aaron K. excellent, and yeah good tip.

Really appreciate the tip