And you're right about avoiding weekly travel—sound systems can save you time and stress!

What I’m discovering is that just because a town allows STRs doesn’t mean the local laws make them operationally feasible unless you meet very specific criteria.For example, in Highland Lakes, access to the lake requires private membership, and it’s unclear if STR guests can use it.

If you oversimplify it and take your total cost to close the deal / monthly savings = # of months to Break Even.

It is possible to self-manage and save on this expense (or at least keep it for yourself). 

But, once you do build some wealth and have a high income, you realize how much you can save/make by owning the right real estate - numbers that far exceed any cash flow you might make on a property. 

This may border on mortgage fraud though if she gets a conventional loan knowing she intends to just hand you the title.What about a private lender that won’t make you sign personally?

The amount saved can dwarf $6k.  

In my shoes, it would be hard to credit a client for a decision that could have saved you $10k+ in damages, especially when it wasn't something that went to our firm (like management fees or an in-house maintenance contractor).

Does each room have its own private bathroom or is there a shared hall bathroom? 

This WAS commented on (thankfully privately) when I stocked Aldi toilet paper.