If yours is the only STR within 20 miles and there aren't any cities or larger towns within a 20-30 minute drive, you could easily run into trouble even finding a reliable cleaning person, let alone a full-service STR management company.I would also definitely take the time to find some comps on Airbnb in the same area as yours, with as close to the same bed/bath count as yours, and with the same finishes and amenities as you are planning to put in yours.  

Your suggestion of Modesto, which within a 1.5-hour drive of San Jose definitely caught my attention!

We do live in a rural area and some contractors we spoke with said it was too far of a drive to do the project.

. - Also, spend some time before/after to drive by comparable properties in the neighborhood to understand your competition and the rents they are asking. 

I'd rather learn the ins and outs of deal flow from a millionaire next door type that has an aol email address, no social media accounts, drives an old truck, and buys his clothes at Costco.

And Name the property with a custom website like LasVegasFarmhouse.com or something - When people start to tag your property's backyard on IG, because it has it's own page that you put up a flyer in the unit to notify them. this is free marketing and word of mouth that will drive in new revenue. 

Here’s the REALITYWhile I compliment you on your ambition and drive, lenders want the borrower to have their own cash in the deal, not borrowed money for down payment.  

This increase provides more choices for buyers and drives competition.Months Supply of Inventory: Inventory supply jumped by 59.3%, from 2.7 to 4.3 months.

Hello Ryan, these are some of the kinds of tasks I am thinking about for Boots on the Ground.Lockbox installationKey duplication, meeting locksmiths, digital lock code changesMeeting cleaners, landscapers, tradespeopleProperty walk-throughs via phone and/or video conferencingMove-in and move-out inspectionsPlacing signage on propertiesPhotos and videosScheduling contractors and tradespeople for vacant propertiesStatus reports on contractor/tradespeople progressProperty drive by

Even if you can’t afford lists, if you can get in the car and drive 4 dollars.