First, you always wind up being in for more than you budget, always, and two if you are cutting the capital requirement needed close then you can go under and default.Truth be told, to get through a deal and afford: Down Payment, Closing Costs, Holding Costs, Deposit for contractor, taxes, insurance. 

Conversations with a person land so much better than a message thru FF.Also it is helpful to know that most Corporate Housing companies or Insurance Agencies that are trying to find housing for their customers and reach out to you, they do finds leads on FF.  

AND with STRs you have no risk of evictions (which can get to be real expensive depending on the area)  and most damages that guests do are covered by insurance (either through the rental platform it was booked through or sometimes the property management firm has added insurance too).As someone that build a large long term rental portfolio here in Illinois (I still have 40+ houses here) and somebody now building a portfolio in tennessee, I would definitely recommend looking at new construction in some of these str areas. 

And anyone that sells you life insurance.

Verify they are licensed and insured.

My list includes - last 2 years employment history and current employment [2 paystubs], criminal checks, eviction checks, No Pets, No smoking, tenant pays utilities, maintains landscape, no subleasing, bring own washer & dryer, 1 month security deposit and transfer of utilities before moving in, rental insurance, all occupants will be on lease, notice period of 2 months for termination, tenant references, No cosigners, no painting walls, late fee notice, any hoa fines should be paid by tenant, inspection of property at 3, 9 and 12 months.Please let me know if I am missing anything.3.

We expect someone commenting on how great life insurance investments are  to reveal if he’s an insurance salesman, and someone who suggests buying property in Cleveland is great to reveal they’re a Cleveland based real estate broker.  

"Additional Insured" on Insurance Policy to Property as CollateralHow specifically should a private lender be mentioned on the owner's insurance policy to a property used as collateral to a loan.

In addition to that property taxes have increased and property insurance has significantly increased.

The PML is not FDIC insured.