The concept of purchasing a multi-family property, utilizing one unit for STR, and eventually transitioning the entire property into an STR setup after a year is quite appealing.My journey began with properties I owned, where I dove into the STR industry.

Longevity in the industry is also a good indicator.But if you want to know what the sure first way to keep your money protected is. 

@Kyle M.I was open to Decatur but heard there were environmental issues given the city’s industrial history.

Watch out for adults renting for their kid's youth group and the actual renter is not even there, just unsupervised 17 year old football players and cheerleaders.One thing to consider in buying a house is emergency response. 

I was hooked, and I haven't stopped learning and growing in this industry since picking it up a little over a year ago.

Vice versa, if you are just starting out, you might want to be more conservative to tackle any unexpected expenses that arise.The 70% rule is an industry standard, but that doesn't mean you can't adjust it based on your desired ROI.

Orhi Hi Orhi,Been plugging away in Toledo, OH since 2014Here are answers to your criteria regarding Toledo1) $75,000 - $100,000 buys solid B class2) Toledo University is solid and employs many people and has foreign students (43607 zip code)3) Car manufacturers, Pro-Medica, Andersons and the glass industry (Most blue all blue collar)4) Hit and a miss5) Declining population from a macro market but certain pockets in high demand from a micro market stadpoint6) 500,000 people including surrounding suburbsWishing you much success

To preface, I had a strong interest in REI for years, man many years, and like all too many that's where it stayed, a interest, research, left wanting but never acting upon it because I was doing so darn good and so busy in my field of construction, and I had risen the rungs of the ladder to a rather nice altitude in the industry. 

They could be traveling for work or for personal reasons (I actually rented a place off Airbnb in Billings, MT during football season when my son played football in college so I could be there for his games.)

Thinking in terms of a good manager of any service industry.