If you are still willing to stay in the same unit as your brother you can get a 2-4 unit building, rent out the other units and still rent a bedroom within your unit to your brother for extra income.

That is the best case scenario, of course sometimes you get lied to and stalled, that's why it is important to always emply a double strategy and stay a step ahead.

Those that still reside are not expecting to stay anyways. 

From my understanding you would have to sell the property as a business...a resort style destination with a number of amenities and places to stay.

It also has the benefit of being local which is great training wheels as you learn how to be a killer host.Now assuming that you mostly want a cool property to stay in sometimes near water and don't want to spend a ton of time managing I really like the outer banks in NC.

Property Owner Incentive to Stay ProfitableIdea outlines that owners are required to keep at least 51% of the income rights, so their earnings are directly tied to the property’s success.

Is it worth buying vs renting given I'll be staying there for 3 years.

If it's gas heat, electric still needs paid so that the furnace stays on.

He is not trustworthy and i would stay far away from that company. 

You can kick the can down the road only so long, at some point capex exceeds cash flow.Also, stay away from weird properties.