My 10-year goal is to own and operate 2-4 short-term rentals in lake-based vacation destinations and provide add-on hospitality services to further my mission and cash flow.

I think this covers your basis and also provides you EO coverage depending on your broker, but that's pretty cheap too, maybe around 1500. 

In terms of the type of investment, multi-family properties often provide more income potential and risk diversification compared to single-family homes, although they might require more management. 

They may be willing to help for a negotiated fee, provide a CMA and document review for a negotiated amount or to build a relationship on future transactions.  

Curbio provided expert renovation services tailored to maximizing the property's value, while Angela's market knowledge and negotiation skills were crucial in both acquiring the property and securing a profitable sale.

Again, the two situations may not be apples to apples, I'm just going off of the info you provided. 

Thirdly, having a tax advisor can provide invaluable guidance for your financial decisions, leading to significant benefits or the avoidance of unnecessary tax costs in the future.In conclusion, when it comes to handling your taxes, it's important to recognize that tax professionals bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.

You can still get great ROIs in the area provided you buy the right kind of property in the right location but it's going to be significantly lower than 18 - 20%.b.

BuildBook provides a free Construction Cost Calculator that helps you calculate total construction costs based on line items, rates, and quantities.

It can be cash flow, or equity as you mentioned which are traditional measures but then there are some more philosophical measures such as creating a way to do something your are passionate about or the ability to provide quality housing for people in the community.