Wishing you @Michael Baum and the rest of my friends here a wonderful Thanksgiving.  

Making memories with family and friends for pictures and videos become what is most treasured as people get older and more life experience.

Maybe you have Friends or family in other states that already have connections in the area you decide on. 

My friend recently told me of this scenario where the person I lease to would perhaps then double book individuals and keep deposits. 

Like @Nicholas L. said, maybe look within a reasonable driving distance from where you live, is there any city or state where you have family or friends that live there where you could travel to frequently and they could keep on the property for you or somewhere you visit a lot.  

And a PM friend of mine pointed me towards NARPM.

Find an investor friendly realtor in your market that can email you listings that match your buy box. 5.

Some areas/neighborhoods are more STR friendly than others. 

We can transmit electricity reasonably efficiently, and then we can transport actual material (ie: water or natural gas) reasonably efficiently. 

So lets say its a $1M loan accruing 12% and I pick it up for $800k (or 900k), time could be my friend or my enemy depending on the value of the home.