I'm well aware of the challenges ahead and understand the importance of making informed decisions.

If you know what the repair is one of the ways to save is use a local handy person and/or ship the part ahead of time.  

But, with your background in commercial real estate, you've got a head start.

As for this thread, I do have a bunch of furnishings on hand from a STR I attempted a couple years ago, so I may go ahead and try one unit furnished and see how it goes.

She also did not notify us ahead of time. 

A month ahead might not be enough.  

Even with their fees you'll come out ahead. 

But the laws seem OK with 6 as an upper limit for 3BRs so I went ahead with the rental. 

Networking and creating your "team" of professionals is one part of it, but also educating yourself on the variety of real estate investments and determining which is the best vehicle for achieving your goals now vs. later is equally important.

Dollar for Dollar credit.Property Value wise, it probably added the same value as the cost, so we aren't ahead on Value wise.