Wonder what is triggering it, and whether it is sustainable if it is mainly driven by STR investors and things start to saturate. 

I am worried that purchasing the property and then transferring it to the LLC will trigger a due on sale clause that could cause issues after purchasing the property. 

Top local RE broker familiar with STR compliance. 

In other words, find an investment property that makes sense to you and pull the trigger. 

If not I will try to refinance and then either pull the trigger on furnishing the home for STR (cleaners and handymen were hired/ interviewed on the trip out,) and still have the boots on the ground in case of emergency.. or just long term rental and refinance, repeat…Not a perfect deal, but I learned a ton!

They are there to protect you and those that come after you from not meeting code compliance.

These are some of the ways the clients could be affected by property managers who are not prepared: Extended VacanciesInadequate marketing strategies and tenant screening processes can result in prolonged vacancy periods, translating into substantial lost rental income.High tenant turnover due to poor resident relations further exacerbates vacancy losses.Inadequate Maintenance and RepairsNeglecting preventive maintenance and delaying necessary repairs can lead to accelerated property deterioration and higher long-term repair costs.This can also negatively impact tenant satisfaction, contributing to higher turnover rates.Legal and Compliance IssuesLack of knowledge or disregard for landlord-tenant laws and regulations can expose investors to costly legal disputes and penalties.Failure to properly handle security deposits, evictions, or fair housing practices can result in significant financial liabilities.Ineffective Financial ManagementInaccurate budgeting, expense tracking, and financial reporting can lead to uninformed decision-making and missed opportunities for cost savings.Failure to optimize tax strategies and leverage available deductions can further reduce net returns.Diminished Property ValueInadequate maintenance, high vacancy rates, and poor tenant screening can negatively impact a property’s perceived value and appreciation potential.This can significantly affect the long-term return on investment when it comes time to sell the asset.While a 10% management fee may seem reasonable for a well-performing property manager, the cumulative impact of mismanagement can quickly escalate the effective cost to investors, potentially outweighing any perceived savings on the management fee itself.

I've always wanted to do this and joined the forum briefly ~2 years ago but never pulled the trigger (really wish I had back then!).

You may want to check that and ensure compliance.3.

The way to mitigate this risk is by getting a permit to legalize the unit(which may be a bit more difficult) or duplex the unit with digging down the basement to be in compliance with zoning and building codes.