This is our boilerplate language:Insurance: Tenant should obtain a renters’ policy of insurance on their personal property.

Easy to use yourself too HELOC works (there may be some places that do a HELOCs on rental properties)I personally have used a 401k Loan on a few occasions - You're essentially borrowing money from your 401k and paying yourself back (interest goes back into your 401k as opposed to a bank) and if you don't pay your 401k back the loan would simply become a withdraw (maybe some tax penalties, but you could probably finagle a workaround).

My biggest question when I was researching all the programs was "If these people are so successful at what they do, why are they charging so much for all of this and always trying to upsell?" 

With all the resources available today to research and learn about the industry, I’m surprised this “easy money” mindset persists.To me, real estate is far from passive or simple.

@Ben Callahan, you could find a partner who is looking to buy a similar property, be a co-signer to your partner, and have that person live in it and be a primary resident. 

I have from time to time spoken with the city administrator, economic developer, & a person at building planning commission.

My name is Carsyn Childress, and I work in the acquisitions department at REI Nation, i.e.

Marketing-Ready Design – Your rental should look as good on camera as it does in person.

Just my personal opinion - get a mentor or a person who already has good experience running STR business, preferably in your area (but not 100% required). 

Where buyers/tenants can view dozens of properties in a day to screen out less desirables then schedule with a real agent to see the home in person!