For a truly passive experience you'd probably need to be an investor in private equity deals or be a silent partner on a project.

To avoid going through the same poor experience, keep reading.Even if someone gives you a referral here, do NOT make the mistake of assuming that the PMC will meet your expectations, just because they met the expectations of the referral source.In our experience, the #1 mistake owners make when selecting a Property Management Company (PMC) is ASSUMING instead of CONFIRMING.It's often a case of not doing enough research, as they don't know what they don't know!

Unfortunately cap ex usually catches up to them and the appraised value rarely translates to a similar sale experience and all along the property has merely been a highly levered property.

.- It costs me me less to turn over my 1500 SF units that rent for $3k/m then it does the same size section 8 unit because the property is cared for better and experiences less  wear and tear while fixed costs like cleaning and painting are easier to absorb. 

Also, long term, I expect Sac will enact tougher restrictions on STR, given the intense housing crunch we're experience, so I personally don't expect that to a be a good long term strategy.

Also, how do you factor or account for an area/town that experiences lots of seasonal tourism, compared to the town that does not? 

Currently,I don't have any experience in RE investing but highly motivated to start it asap.

Starting with an owner-occupied duplex is a smart way to build equity and gain experience.

how much experience do you have?  

- Given your experience level, without an inspection, I'd turn around and walk away.