However, I thought it would be fun to buy 8 crack shacks in the hood in Arkansas last year for fun.

if you can hang in there, things quiet down and the only thing you are doing is depositing the checks. that's the fun time. :)at the end of the day, tenants just want to be left alone and make sure you are taking care of the needed repair requests.

IMHO I think the draw to the Poconos is it's proximity to two monster metropolitan markets and their middle and professional class who may prefer in many cases to tone it down from places like Miami, Hawaii, Vail, or Stowe, and instead have the luxury of a 1.5-2 hour car trip to somewhere where they will save on airfare, get a good deal on their accommodations, and still have loads of fun with their families without having to deal with exorbitant vacation costs and aggravating travel arrangements. 

Only do it if you think it’s going to be fun/interesting or you feel you will be good at it.

Short term, just for fun relationships can end mutually without collateral damage.

Purchase price: $370,000 Cash invested: $55,500 Fun little duplex!

I usually head to the house once a quarter to check up on things and fix anything that might need to be repaired (and of course have some fun up there).

Refinanced after seasoning period with forced appreciation as well as more favorable comps once we arrived in the spring home buying season vs winter selling (when purchased) How did you add value to the deal?

I call it the Winter Fear. 

It will be fun, we'll have drinks and meet at a local vacation rental-this is a great way to learn more if you are interested in this type of investment.