I am in Atlanta, and was curious if you ever started this or would be interested? 

There are so few affordable long-term houses in those markets that I was able to turn it into a "by room" long term rental and it's doing better than STR ever did.

If my largest expense after Milton was a $600 water bill, I would pay it and be grateful to be so lucky.

Making a decent profit has everything to do with the right market...each and every one is different in guest avatar, ADR, and yearly revenue...the property itself, and the host and how knowledgeable they are on the STR industry right now because that is also an ever-changing landscape!  

Chicago is about to make history as it becomes home to one of the largest quantum computing campuses in the world.

I like them both, in general, but the best way to find a town to invest in outside of where you live if it's not affordable and if you don't want to be withing driving distance easily (recommended) is to make two lists:1. every town you have ever lived in or visited for more than a month2. every town your closest friends and family live (the ones you like)Then you take those two lists and see where they overlap with the data or lists you are using.

no one ever says no.2.

(This helps me determine if they have enough income to be accepted for my rent amount.)7) Have you ever been taken to court by a landlord?  

You have to decide and what ever that is, it will be ok. personally - My number is $10k per month.

Quote from @Dan Gandee: One more thing: don't ever hand over cash until they've vacated the property.It's sad that this is even a consideration. 400 units under management and I've never paid a Tenant to vacate a home.