Some homes even come with tax breaks or city funding to help cover the costs.

That helps you recover some of the money so if things proceed to a lockout, you're not as bad off financially.

It was an easy way to scale up with no money out of pocket.

High taxes.

At the same time I find myself participating in other forums I used to ignore, like the taxes and short term rentals forums, because those have become bigger focus areas (and pain points!)

A couple developers we work with skip LIHTC and the tax credits and go the route of impact funds to help alongside other debt and sometimes equity. 

They marked it down as a "claim," even though the delivery guy never filed suit, asked for money, or sent a demand letter. 

If you like the home, area etc, you could refi and pull out the same amount of money.

Your time is worth money, it's time that guests aren't renting your house. 

Don't get me wrong, you can make good money with STR, but having a property already to your name with some experience of being a landlord will only help - and you will already have a property under your belt.Good luck!