I look forward to learning more, networking with other new and seasoned investors and overall growing as a real estate investor!

I know I don't have to give them anything but I wanted to get a general consensus of what seasoned landlords do.

Bill,Judging from my conversations with lenders, there is no hard and fast rule for the "seasoning period" for refinance.  

Waiting 6 months no only gets you the full exclusion saving you possibly as much as $63K or $125K (25% of the maximum exemption of $250K in gain or $500Kin gain) in taxes but it also gives you 6 months more of appreciation and has you selling the house in the prime spring selling season.  6 months reaps a mighty potential reward.

We are about to purchase our first rental property and are a little nervous about finding renters during the holiday season.

Affinity is a big player here in the north county area.

I believe my RE agent provides great value to my deals with market/area/comp insight, a read on other agents and sellers, updates on what's happening in the market & market players, connections to the "aggressive" bankers & appraisers and a second set of eyes on the deal.  

Not seasoned by any means but have done about 12 or 13 deals. 

Seasonality: Chicago Airbnb, like Chicago real estate, is seasonal.

I am a seasoned single family investor that has an interest in parks, and put my first one under contract.