I don't want to spend a lot of time on this as this is outside our core competency.

That would make it quite compelling I would feel.

What is compelling you to think that?  

The leverage aspect of real estate-- 30 yr FRM-- is what makes real estate compelling.

My friend trusts him to the core and 100% reliable & trustworthy.2.

So all that being said: if you are buying a "turnkey" or core asset with no real operational upside available, your thought holds true.  

Its amazing how often I see new investors try in reinvent the wheel in setting up their Core 4, etc.

I’m just getting started so I need to focus on building my core-4. 

As long as you develop your Core 4 like David Green’s mentioned in his long-distance investing strategy (realtor, contractor, property manager, and lender), you should be able to invest anywhere with confidence.

For individuals navigating the demands of a w2 job and grappling with substantial tax obligations, exploring the potential of short-term rentals unveils a compelling avenue to mitigate tax burdens.