Just remember: most negative reviews are written by problematic tenants.

We currently have some equity, but we do have some negative cash flow.  

I'm not sure how it would be different as I do mobile homes which are personal property but modular is the same concept.

I live 2 hours out of the city, so having my own property to book and stay in would provide a huge personal benefit in terms of being able to head into the city more without the stress or hotel fees.I guess I'm mostly hoping to hear if anyone has done this ... my initial concerns are (1) potential complexities with how the entity is set up/ business or otherwise/managing the books, (2) negative perception among vacationers in a complex or duplex format, and (3) finding a property manager that can manage some of the nuance of STR (such as cleanings) with the general maintenance of LTR.

Go to a REA club and connect with legit wholesalers and don’t listen to any negative people in here trying to discourage you beside they are ignorant.

Problem is, i'm looking to rent it out and make it my first rental but can not do so without being negative each month with a PM. 

I am not much depend on cash flow requirement but I just want to make sure it is not at least negative.  

As long as the economic numbers showed any positive movement, they would raise the Fed rate.On a related note, keeping the rates so low has caused a lot of negative yields for some investors.

That is @ $4k annually which will quickly be eaten into a negative if you have to paint the place or replace something from normal wear and tear after a year turnover.

I'd also recommend you get Evernote, or something similar, to copy and organize what you learn into "Best Practice" concepts, so you are ready to go when you arrive back in the US.