Best regards,Matt  If you plan to move back into the property in the not too distant future you might hold out to do a home equity loan or line of credit as an owner occupant so that you get decent terms and a workable LTV max. 

I'm not adverse to putting in a little work owning RE, it's just I feel recession risk is very real right now, and there could be some great deals to be had in the not too distant future. 

I just see an opportunity down south shore in the distant future as I'm not sure prices can sustain up there and are going to be forced down south.

Does anyone have any opinion towards your first property being local to you or distant(other cities/states)?

.The same people who are taking about etc didnt say much then about hard work to the banks.For those who think real estate or any investment in its current form is forever, We are looking at a future maybe not too distant where the number of jobs available is going to drastically reduce due to AI and tech.

I’ve rented to several friends and some distant family member without any real issues.

Especially those that are not as close with us in our personal lives and are based in distant states. 

You are new and distant landlord, you should have a local professional agent to work for you, unless you have knowledge and can direct your friend to do the job well.

If so, how does the university affect the market, and how distant from the campus do students typically rent?

I am amazed at what condition many properties are in that we take over, and wonder how the previous owner escaped without an injury claim.The second risk, albeit a distant second in terms of impact to your financial health, is that the cabin can't be managed properly for you to make any money.