If there is any kind of damage to the house because of a natural cause if you approach the insurance company without a landlord's insurance they will outright deny your claim.If you have a mortgage the bank will insist that you have landlord insuranceTenant has renter's insurance.

I like Texas for the economic outlook and less natural disasters but I may be biased!

Any comment made about a positive experience with him has been from an account with little to no information in it, or of some other suspicious nature.

Licensed with permits ~$3,250.HWT standard gas single family low efficiency without exhaust retrofit $900.Sand and stain hardwood floors, natural stain $3 per sf.Paint interior walls, ceiling trim and doors 3 tone paint scheme 2 coats $3.20 per sf (floor area cost includes paint)Click lock LVT flooring install overlay inclusive of prep and quarter round $4.50 per sf (materials and labor)Asphalt roof installation 3/1 - 800 sf bungalow with 2 layers of shingles - ~$7,900Standard porch cap replacement with 2 new precast concrete steps ~$2,500Used stove or refrigerator delivery and install $350New stove or refrigerator delivery and install $HD model specificUse this as a general guideline. 

These costs for most of the individuals are considered personal in nature (unless you have a RE portfolio that is run like a business; see below).

So choose wisely and good luck I like the passive nature myself of boat and RV storage.

The BP community of course naturally gravitates to fixed rate long-term debt on real assets as probably the safest way to use leverage to build wealth. 

You just need someone who understands the "block-by-block" nature of the city and surrounding areas.

You should have a good idea of every expense you have in your primary home, then add the STR specific:  (These are rough estimate numbers, depending on various factors)STR insurance - a special insurance that covers both the property and your liability, could be $2~4k in areas without natural disasters, could be more than $10k in some other areas.cleaning fee - approx. $50 per bedroom, so a 4-bedroom house will cost you about $150~200consumables - bathroom supplies, kitchen supplies, beverage supplies: $20~30 per week, depending on how much you providewear and tear - towels, linen, kitchen utensils, some furniture: $1000~2000 per yearRepairs/replacement for things that guests break or steal:  $1000~2000 per yearAlso, if your personal use is less than 14 days a year, the entire property's expense is deductible against STR income, but if you use more than 14 days, then you will have to calculate the proportion of how many days it's rented out vs how many days you or your family uses. 

Since you’re leaning toward the “reconnect with nature” vibe, are you thinking of adding features like hiking trail maps, partnerships with local guides, or even some eco-friendly touches to the property?