It's good to hear that you want to play the long-term hold game as that is how you'll ultimately build equity.  

Do you provide for online rent payment?

The STR, if purely an appreciation play,  is speculation to me. 

Now they write the offer and send it online.

Playing the long game, it's not for those chasing rainbows, definently for the LT planned methodical focus. 

You can also check their reviews online at Google, Facebook, or Yelp.

Networking is key—try connecting with local investors, joining real estate meetups, or hopping into online groups to learn more and build relationships.

@Tyler GilpinGo online and check the local housing authority for that city.

I really like to think about it like online dating.

There's a high chance that you are feeling FOMO from the returns in public markets, sell your houses for a loss, pile into stocks, and then see mediocre performance while real estate heads back higher again.I see this, and similar actions, play out over and over.Personally, I'd stick with the real estate rather than selling it.