You're right about Cincinnati's short-term rental rule requiring the operator to live within 50 miles of the property.

It is easy to get upset as an owner, but cooler-heads are better.

Once you get through move in, the day to day management is pretty hands off and easy (famous last words, but so far, so good).Other than that, get a second opinion/eye from someone you trust - preferably a professional designer - on the furnishings and design.

Use for investment for 1 year and then live in it for 4.In theory the FTB for CA follows the same gain recognition rules as the fed. 

This seems crazy as the risk is different, the rules of what you can do with the cabin is different, and most importantly the price difference between cabins on land they own versus forest leased land is extreme.

Ask anyone who ever sold a business, even with great cash flow, it's not that easy to sell for a profit. 

@Celine RechyyThe primary rule of thumb is you can never start early enough in real estate.

I would call it easy.

These carriers are not profitable in CA and CA laws and regulations do not make it easy to mitigate these financial struggles. 

If you hire a PM, usually from what I'm hearing, Padsplit PM charges about 8% and some just charge a $800 per month flat fee because it's relatively easy I guess.