Historically, of course, dark-stained flooring was less a fashionable possibility and more a solution used to hide multiple imperfections in cheap oak floors. 

In a world of interned arguing, this place is informative and professional. 

Learn all you can from resources like BP and other forums, then marry that with some old fashioned physical labor.

I've been highly interested in investing in a condo to advertise as an STR in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, AL, Pensacola, FL, Okaloosa, FL, or Destin, FL, but have been lacking internal support and confidence to pursue this.

.- IRR (Internal Rate of Return) can be used to measure the net return generated by ALL FOUR sources (i.e.

That indicates the source of moisture is internal.

You could also go a condo/townhouse route which could still have repairs but generally it is internal (no roof, sewer line, etc.). 

@Julie Marquez I believe what @Jennifer Beadles is trying to say is that anything over 2 units is a different set of codes (rules) to build to.  1-2 family houses use the International Residential Code (IRC) in most states, and residential and mixed use buildings with more than 2 units use the International Building Code (IBC).  

Look out for old bus fuse panels and Pushmatics, again great in their time but internal failures and limited parts supply make them hard to operate and maintain safely anymore.

Put the money in a dividend growth portfolio like VIG or FDVV, 70% US, 30% international, set it and forget it and go about your life.