Patience can pay.

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In 2011 I took a vacation to Hawaii for the first time. The trip was something I promised my grandmother, who passed 5 months earlier I would do. I rented a condo from a woman who happened to be a real estate agent. After chatting for a bit, I asked if there were any good deals around. She asked a few questions and said she would get back to me. I knew nothing about real estate. I still lived in an apartment at 31. We found something I thought could work after running some numbers. Made an offer that was countered, and I thought it was still to much, especially considering the economic conditions at the time. I walked away, a few days later a unit came on the market in the same condo complex for 25k less. I made an offer and it was accepted the same afternoon. Today I still own it, and my agent manages it for me. It's been a great investment and good learning experience. It hasn't been perfect or easy, but worth it. Anyone else own vacation rentals? How do you advertise? Have have you learned? What would you do different now?