I understand a fixer-upper would require a lot more work in accurately determining repair costs, finding good contractors, etc., but I think the learning experience would help set me up better for future deals.

Understand the fees involved and calculate the total cost for an entire year of management so you can compare the different managers.

@Nedim Tokman 90% of people that buy courses - never do any investing to use them:(I have paid for courses in the past, with the understanding that I was paying to get the info faster than I could research it myself. 

My background involves social work & non-profit management before getting into real estate.

You will want to talk with a CPA that understands S Corps as well as real estate. 

Very cool to see lenders out there with an understanding of medium-term rentals!

I understand the sentiment, but I think it will have more negative effects.The problem is with enforcement.

They had the new company (new property maintenance group in our area I understand) come out and pump it, but with all the melting snow etc it just refilled up (because the form takes 3 days for approval and you can have the electric on. 

And I understand the frustration, disappointment, and even the anger of the posters who invested.  

So, you have to understand your customer as well as part of learning your market.