This is a lesson learned for me - I know to look for "missing" rooms for this now but I do feel that there was responsibility on your part as well.

Focus on the numbers and the goals, not personal feelings.

Make sure the previous property management company did their job and communicated a change in management prior to you taking over--along with your contact information.If they have no done this, they should so the tenant doesn't feel like a scam may be going on.Just make sure they're away of where rent payments need to go and who they can contact in the future. 

As an investor looking to purchase an STR in a ski town, I’m not sure I’d feel that confident in a court deciding in my favor, personally.

Personally I feel as if it will be a good way to scoop up a good value add someone just wants to get rid of.

But if those payments feel like dead weight, Dave Ramsey’s “debt-free” mindset could be worth revisiting.Here’s a quick story to illustrate.

HelloOver saturated STR in Ohio markets have caused many STR to drastically lower costs to as low as  $100 for entire bedroom home.My are higher and I'm not competitive with the lower cost Abnbs.I also feel hotel industry are mass building new hotels to compete with str. 

I know this is going to be anticlimactic, but to be honest I am unsure how I feel about my purchase and don't know if I would do it again. 

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions I am always happy to help and talk REI!

And if it were set up where everything went through a title company so the buyer pays the title company, they manage the buyer's loan (from me), and the title company ensures my mortgage is paid without my direct involvement... what parts of the transaction would feel risky or not worth the headache to you?