Where should I start?

Check out buy.rabbu -- it'll show you on-market properties in those areas that are underwritten as STRs. makes analysis and getting started a bit easier :) 

Flipping is a high risk high reward endeavor, especially with people just starting out. 

I am planning on starting my investment journey here as well and beginning with house hacking.

I totally value and want a property manager to take the day-to-day management off my hands, but on issues with tenant damage and I would like to be kept up to date on matters, as well as have copies of all notices provided to the tenants for my own record keeping.

I’m not over estimating the ARV I know my market like the back of my hand.

I have done a handful of small projects near USC in the Shandon & Rosewood areas here.

It takes a lot of capital invested to start making enough returns to match your current income.  

With that said I am financially prepared to start actively investing and wish to avoid further analysis paralysis.

Also someone who is a hammer swinger type, who doesn't mind getting their hands dirty and putting in a hard day's work, might be able to get by with less than either of the above two.