I think AIrBnB and Vrbo has some automatic adjustment for our listing on the off chance that there is a big spike in demand for a big concert or SportsBall (TM) game coming into town.

Four of the major criteria they consider when selecting a location are:Low crime: Companies are unlikely to establish new facilities in high-crime cities.

You could get in with an established company that is looking for help.

I have no "skin in the game."

hold some of that initial 100,000$ for reserves. if you spend it all and something goes wrong you wont have time to accumulate profit the first year to really afford to fix anything. then you'd be dependent on personal income or another loan to fix the issue if one arose. play it slow and safe at first while you figure out the game and take some initial hard knocks that are bound to come. 

(Everything from early research to closing and listing your STR and getting money coming in) I'm always looking for ways to step up my game as an agent that specializes in helping out-of-state investors buy STRs in the Florida panhandle/Emerald coast.

If your looking for the least amount of risk and biggest bang for your buck I would look for a company that is a reputable turnkey provider thats actually in Detroit and offers things such as an efficient boots on the ground team, all sorts of established local relationships, solid in-house management, an operation that is highly skilled and well versed in section 8, a company that has proven relationships with both out of state and local lenders.

Just buy a property in your personal name and learn the game first. 

It often feels like a constant game of cat and mouse with phone carriers.

That is awesome that you have this mindset so early in the game.