PG county is probably the cheapest area you are going to get close to DC.

This email has info about pets, security deposit, verbiage about checking the surrounding community, criteria to qualify, link to my website where the application is and lastly a date and time slots for an open house.

Mostly 8%, PG will have a lot more at 10%

Properties in areas like Silver Spring, PG County, etc. are significantly cheaper and have consequently drawn my eye as a better foundation for a diversified investment strategy.

I pay them well for this service, but I need it more than the luxury homeowner  with the fat untapped credit card balance down the street whose furnace also conked out on the same day.You need people who will be there for you instead of people who want you to slot you in when it's best for them.

PG

Occasionally PG and DC as well.

There's a reason they have the money to spend on those expensive ad slots!

I'm getting ready to start a new STR and will give this a shot when I've got small empty slots.

Another issue will be identifying expenses vs capitalized expenses and how to "slot" expenses to appropriate accounts and managing any escrow accounts for deposits from tenants (that money isn't yours, it's your liability).