We should catch up soon but here's an initial thought I had when I first read this.

I think you will find once you get over the initial “doing something for the first time” jitters that managing your own properties is pretty easy overall.  

2nd question...so even though you're not doing an initial purchase and trying to take out the equity in the property, does a dscr really make the most sense or does something like a heloc do better?  

Have you seen a positive impact in your STR besides the initial cost savings? 

Ensure the property manager is meeting your standards and expectations.Secondary question: Old Listings:Established Reviews: Old listings have a history of reviews, which can attract more bookings and build trust with potential guests.SEO Benefits: Established listings may rank higher in search results on OTAs.Brand-New Listings:Flexibility: New listings can be optimized from scratch based on current best practices and market trends.Promotions: OTAs often give new listings a visibility boost to help them get initial bookings.It's essential to balance the benefits of a property manager handling OTA listings with the need to retain control and flexibility over your property.

The market currently not supporting our initially projected sales prices.

I initially listed the property for rent at $1100 but had to reduce it to $1000.

I initially learned a lot about syndications through Lane's website, so I credit him for opening my eyes to a different type of investment. 

The trick is to combine them without the initial negative cash flow.  

Of course when I buy these types of deals I personally give existing tenants the chance to stay at a higher rent amount initially rather than just evicting and having to do a renovation before I start making any money.