Everyone we have spoken to only considers short term rent as an option.

An option is an encumbrance, buy the property subject to the option at a lower price, if the optionee buys, you sell, if not, you still win.A deed in lieu of foreclosure can be had after the note is purchased at a discount.You can buy the note at a discount and have the owner refinance, same with installment contracts. 

Hey Jimmy, I'm not a lender but have a few good ones I can connect you with to discuss your options.

Lots of options as far as raising nightly rates as other STRs shut down, converting to MTR or LTR or doing an exchange to another state.

It's a good time to review markets, but living in China there are a lot of other closer, international markets that could be options as well.

I also want to keep the option open for converting to condo down the road and as long as I am in the apartment doing so much work I might as well.

This is true whether those clients were on the optional recordkeeping program or not.I don't have a lot of details and am not personally involved in this program in any way, but I have experience with SEPiraK separately and they are a quality operation.You can reach out to info at sepirak dot com to learn more. 

There are some good cash flow markets, TIC options and DSTs.

I don't necessary want to quit my job but having the option to do so is desired.

Hey Frank, not sure who you're replying to but I want to emphasize based on what you said pretty much EVERY mortgage broker should have 10-20 options of lenders who can do this.