I think what is becoming more and more important is having a solid investment thesis and understanding of your target market and the value proposition you are offering to your customers through your properties. 

I worked for Marcus & Millichap in their Capital Markets (Mortgage Lending) business and he worked with us exclusively.

Initially, we plan to invest in lower-risk opportunities such as arbitrage to gain a better understanding of the market.

But I know that I've never seen a property sell at auction in our market that was any where near enough of a deal to really whole saleAlso- you're buying the house outright with cash, IF you found a killer deal then I think you'd actually have to close then re-sell to an investor.

@Shannon L Fogarty I’m personally a fan of working with local lenders who know all the nuances of their market and how to get deals done.

A beautiful property that has been successful so far in its first year on the market.

And what is the mix of guests (couples, entire families with kids, grandparents, parent visiting college students, hikers/water sports, college football fans) maybe theme it to what people think of when they go there or provide things that would enhance their stay (paddle boards, video games, theater room, kayaks, really cool beds that have slides etc).

We use it on properties bought off market, but it can be used with turnkey or MLS properties as well.

@Jessica PerkinsTo make real estate a significant part of your retirement plan, leverage your experience in managing mid-term and short-term rentals, ensure your rental income is well-documented, research local market trends, and explore financing options.

It's marketing, like everything else.