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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

I am a Broker in California though and still on the Oregon DRE s  e mail mailing list I like to stay up on current laws since we are home builders in the Portland Metro market..

Stay with properties at or below median value within 1/2 mile maximum of the subject property.  

Personally, all of my units are full and have stayed full, no one is even late with rent much less behind, and no one is moving.

They aren't a guest like when you stay in a hotel.