Why not, we already had everything in place, we loved the area, 3 blocks from the beach, good price etc.

Then you are in control of that money.Dealing with an insurance came is never easy, and sometimes it can be downright a pain.  

Try to buy “blocks of time” in advance?

I'm a licensed lender in Washington (and many other states), I invest as a "side hustle" and grew up in Seattle, so I feel your pain.  

@Ryan Rubel There are certainly quite a few restrictions in those two areas, in Carlsbad you have to be within the coastal Zone...I have a multifamily in Carlsbad Village a block outside of the coastal zone so I'm unable to operate it as an STR unfortunately.

Corporate Transparency Act Blocked Nationwide by Texas Court

I removed the chimney and added modern HVAC, making it the only house on the block with it, significantly enhancing its value.

You won't regret keeping this after 5 years, but you may feel the pain of it the first 5 years. 

I removed the chimney and added modern HVAC, making it the only house on the block with it, significantly enhancing its value.

In Wilkes-Barre there are lots of side by side duplexes (double blocks) that are separately titled.