With this set up, we were able to get a DSCR loan through Kiavi with only a few extra steps compared to an LLC.  

It works great for wholesalers who sell the deals to a flipper, so a flipper can reap the rewards by going the extra mile and conducting their own marketing

I am working on what to fill the extra time with at the moment.  

Consider remote monitoring tools (like security cameras), and budget an extra 10-15% for surprises.

Maybe take extra steps like walking the prospect to their car and glancing into it, while that is not a 100% indication that they will be a good resident, it definitely helps.

That is basically an extra tax return, legal fees for setup, bookkeeping costs (if you aren't doing it yourself), possibly an umbrella policy.

I’ve been interested in getting into real estate as a way to potentially have extra income and also have more of a safety net in retirement, either through cashing in on equity or continuing to own rentals.

Keeping this as a rental would not cover the mortgage (we'd have to pay ~1500 a month including utilities) and we can afford the extra payment, but is it worth it when looking at appreciation?

There are some exceptions to this but this is the general rule.The $150,000 hurdle shrinks to $75,000 if you are married but filing a separate return.Creating an LLC does not suddenly bypass this.In actuality, you created another filing requirement which your CPA will charge you an extra cost for. 

I suggest going the extra mile by providing access to these services yourself, and you could even advertise features like $5 movie rentals on Prime Video to create additional value for your guests.Hope that helps, and good luck with your investment in Cancun!