You certainly want to vet your property manager to ensure they are focused on balancing asset protection with tenant satisfaction.

The alternative is to set up a self-directed IRA, or better, a truly self-directed Solo 401k plan, invest in alternative assets, and then do the conversion.

I negotiated a 6 month deal financial investment with a 20% return.

IMO a big reason why so many people are hurting right now is because the underlying asset only makes sense using this one strategy STR.

But if you're willing to take a tiny leap of faith, I think the returns are solid, the diligence and the integrity are there, and the states/markets/submarkets and the asset class are thumbs-up.

Most of the reason I got into RE is because I control the asset.

If you need financial help, ask under the "Finance, Tax, and Legal" forum.

I do have folks that don't book because of that.That is a good thing as not understanding the distance to get places will create bad blood and cause those 2 and 3 star reviews which no one wants to see.Like @John Underwood, our place isn't cheap so we don't get the folks that destroy places.The bottom line is that you are renting out an expensive asset to strangers for 3-10 days or whatever.

Because I did everything wrong, started with basically nothing and STILL achieved financial freedom, I know for a fact that anyone can do what I did. 

I'll add a few more things that can have a huge financial impact: required reserves, LTC (loan to cost), application or other upfront fees, and prepayment penalties.As a fellow flipper, I think it's important to have reserves, but they shouldn't be required as part of your funding.