Looking for advice on short-term rental properties

[Ryan Smith]

Hi there BP forum! I am a new member and this is my first post. 

I am military and live in Fort Walton Beach, Florida (panhandle, close to Destin if that helps haha). I am deployed for 4 months out of every 9 and I am trying to leverage that situation into a condo as a primary residence which I can also use as a short-term rental while I am gone.  

I have two properties that are single family homes and I am very inexperienced, however, I feel somewhat comfortable managing. With that said, I have no idea how to pick and manage a short-term rental. 

Any help I can get from other's experiences would be greatly appreciated. I am looking for any information concerning short-term rentals e.g., selection, resale, marketing, management options, general experience, etc.