A really nice home with some extra touches (a little granite, better flooring, nicer paint job, nicer cabinets, etc.) compared to the area will make potential tenants fall in love with the place.  2) Tenants that bring or can swing their own appliances are more financially stable (or just stable in general, ha!)

We invest for long term buy and hold in good areas B+Due to extreme highly demanding W2 jobs we are looking for credible FULLY vertically integrated turnkey companies to partner with.

However, as @Chad Hale mentioned, only if you can afford it - meaning both financially and mentally (e.g. how stable are both of your jobs, how long will it take you or your husband to find a replacement job, how much you have in reserves, and whether you guys are in a position to withstand that mental stress, etc.)When you mention 8k monthly, I am assuming that's net profit?

If there is one thing I would do different is: I would invest Out Of State in markets that had sustained growth, strong job numbers, were safe and desired, and had favorable Landlord laws. 

They did a good job and helped answer any questions I had about the 1031 exchange I did here in Chicago. 

•You persevered and did what it took to get the job(s) done.

STR's are a job. 

The job of cash flow is to pay back your cash in. 

Do you have contractors to get the job done? 

I'm falling way behind my plan, and with my W2 job becoming unbearable I want to accelerate my RE efforts.