Thank you @Julie Gates for your detailed response and transparency, super grateful 🙏 Wishing you continued success! 

Good luck and best wishes!

I wish I knew about this forum earlier.

My pleasure and wishing you much success

Since you’ve offered the $300.00, honor it.Notify them that moving forward you will not be able to provide any further rent credits and offer to break the lease if they feel the living arrangements are no longer working for them.If you feel the above is something you are not comfortable with, I wish you the best of luck with tenants that’s will drain you while they occupy your premises. 

You can specify blackout dates when the property is not available for rent if you wish to use it personally during certain times of the year.Legal and Regulatory Compliance: The management firm will ensure that the property complies with local laws and regulations concerning rental properties, including obtaining any necessary permits and adhering to zoning laws.Maintenance and Repairs: Property management firms often take care of routine maintenance and emergency repairs, ensuring the property is well-maintained and ready for tenants or guests.This arrangement allows you to enjoy your second home for part of the year and generate rental income when you're not using it, with minimal effort on your part.

What are the best strategies you would advise to newbies and wish you knew when you started?

Wish both of us (landlord and tenant) knew this leaking earlier.

It may be best to find a professional management to assist until you learn what management entails, enough to make a decision on if you wish to self-manage or not. 

Get some great reviews, then start bumping up your price.CalendaringIf you're looking to fully book your place (and watch out what you wish for; it's a lot of work), then learn to manipulate the minimum-and-maximum-stay feature.