Pick one of the markets you mentioned and pick a great team that you can have in place. 

Seminole for Example has a lot of great traffic and tons of spots to eat, drink, socialize for adults and kids.I know Cape Coral is picking up in terms of STR's with the complettion of the 7 Mile Island and more construction lately. 

and/orcan you pick a market 1-3 hours away from Seattle and look there?

You have to use one of two PMs you have to use the approved furniture package and you cannot customize anything.

I’m thinking about switching to MTR/LTR with furniture included.

You might as well go pick yourself up a pager

I would suggest picking up a copy of the book I co-authored titled Lend to Live: Earn-Hassle Free Passive Income in Real Estate with Private Money Lending.

Better photos, newer furniture, get more 5 star reviews

I have picked up a curiosity and even passion for short-term rentals and hope to own my own STR property in the area of the University I am attending. 

They strongly prefer to do everything holistically so I don't think I could have just picked having the returns done.