--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. 

If someone instead offered 35k to assume the loan and deed to the property, what are the hurdles to that deal?  

At our firm (tax advisory) we are offering a service to help clients with this and we expect many tax/cpa/law firms will as well. 

It's not normal to do it prior to an accepted offer.

Prince Georges county in MD also offers over the counter liens.

(I'm sure both the average consumer AND the average entrepreneur would disagree, of course, but hey - y'all're the guys with the fancy, big money jobs and the college degrees - what do I know ...)

In speaking with our insurance agent, we decided not to make an offer.

Don't be afraid to look at other markets since you are not married some states offer better purchase to cash flow ratios.States like Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida etc.   

TurboTenant offers a maintenance program for $149 annually; they will respond to tenant issues, troubleshoot, assign to a pro, and charge your card on file (unless it's over your set amount, then they will call to confirm).

While podcasts, books, seminars, and websites offer general knowledge, you'll buy a specific property in a specific location, subject to local rules and regulations.