Given that and some other characteristics, from what I'm told it would be in demand as far as rental applicants.Ideally, I would like the option to return to it.With repair estimate of 1% of purchase price and property management fees, it's pretty much a break even on the monthly overhead.

@Jae Yoo you should read your PM contract very thoroughly or even hire an attorney to do so, before thinking you can just break it.How would you feel if a tenant just broke their lease with you?

We like the short-term rental idea because we could stay at the property ourselves when we want - summer break, spring/winter breaks, etc.Our budget will be right around $1M or less ideally, and we would like a short distance to the ocean.How likely is it that we could find a property as described above and have it cover or come close to covering the mortgage? 

i would not buy a random property in Alabama that you find on Zillow and turn it over to people you've never met just because the price point is appealing.here are some threads on how that can go:https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/1160450-run-i...https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/12/topics/1215726-break...https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/1137397-balti...i own property in 3 states - happy to answer any questions you have.

--reach out and thank them upon getting the booking and ask if they have any questions--send a "Welcome" email or automated message during the week prior to arrival--reach out the day after arrival to ask how everything was the first night and ask if there is anything that the property needs--reach out at the end of the stay (that morning or within 24 hours) and ask how everything was, anything to improve, anything to add to the house and then offer an incentive for returning guests.My 2 cents,Mike Absolutely stay in your place as Mike said.You will see things the cleaners will never let you know about.We stayed in our PF will putting up the Christmas decorations and found a cracked plastic shelf in the fridge. 

Have both homes completed and sold in less than a year.. and then we need a break from all the construction!

This is located in Pennsylvania.Thanks in advance for your help, and have a Blessed Christmas!

From what I’ve seen in Forbes, the infromation on market trends can also help pinpoint the best neighborhoods.One last piece I’d consider: do some legwork on rent comparables in the area so you’ll know your break even numbers from day one.

Some banks can spread your funds around to multiple banks if you carry a balance over $250k and want to have all the necessary FDIC insurance…merry Christmas!

Id be happy to break-even with the rental income if I get all of my invested capital back.