Here in Austin I've got one VR/STR and will be launching a second one mid-summer, so I'm keenly interested in others' perspective on this exciting area of REI. 

@Chris Clothier  Each states division of Corporate Securities would be keen on these things as well.

Although I am keen on learning everything reno from first hand experience, is this something I may be able to figure out myself?

@Martha Michel My wife wasn't too keen on the idea of house hacking and we ended up not doing it and buying a reasonably priced townhome in a great neighborhood.

We attempt to monitor the license denials on a quarterly basis to keep a finger on the pulse of what areas are not keen on STRs.

@Jacob Blackett  exactly and based on that vast experience I do not or will not recommend that asset class ever again... at least for buy and hold.. for flipping in and out make a few bucks I can see that.It was the happiest day of my life when I divested myself of all those C class rentals really it was.you may make it work but its not a wealth builder in my mind.and I am just posting to get other out of state investor to not make the same mistakes I personally made... those C class properties cost me my airplane  LOL.. so yes not to keen on those.

If you are simply not keen on parts of it, factor someone else doing it.

In threads like this a keen observer can tell who is a theorist and who is applying tangible actions.

If you have a really keen interest on the I-85 improvements, you should know NCDOT has been having some cash flow problems.

If only I had done more USA investing when the pound was two to one (I mention this because currency and tax have started to become as critical to my decisions as other factors).if you want exposure to Europe it's probably easier via equities or currencies unless you are keen to learn all the intricacies of the local markets.