Does anyone have any experience owning/operating a short term rental in Blue Ridge (or surrounding areas)?

How many years in operation?

This lack of sophistication with money leads many to avoid using credit at all and just continuing to operate within their comfort zone.

Maybe operate it as a mid-term/short-term rental?

If your rent is significantly below market for the area, you are essentially operating a charity.  

I am looking for some current operators in Sandbridge to chime in on this one.

I have also managed the day-to-day operations which involved me ensuring all amenities were stocked, coordination with the cleaning staff, and handling communication with challenging guests.My Remote work skills have proven me to be a great asset for my property owner who was not much involved in running their airbnb rental but was well-informed by me. 

If you really want to go down that path, I suggest that you apply to work for a syndicator or RE Private Equity shop as an analyst or operator for a year or two, and browse through 100+ deals over that time period, underwriting each one, and trying to figure out, over that time, which ones you were "right" about, and which ones you were "wrong" about, as best you can.

With an Operating Agreement, separate bank account, etc.? 

400+ flips, nearly a billion in transactions and over 4K units under management, experience/operations in 27 states, 5 countries, 3 continents.....