The ironic thing is that in some resort/highly desirable locations where the cost of housing is high, when STRs are banned, the houses in question typically get bought by people as a second/third/fourth vacation home and then let it sit vacant. 

I have often thought of doing the same thing but I have a 2.9% IR on my duplex which is so low that I don't see much of a reason to pay that one off quickly.

Also research what types of events come to Kona, like Iron Man, paddling races, etc. and market to those folks.

Just completed demo of fiberglass shower and tub/shower and replaced with hot mop/tiling for the shower and cast iron/porcelain tub with tiled surround. 

I'll iron out a process to get started and start making some calls.Does that all sound like a decent starting point?

The technology is pretty much ironed out and bulletproof by now. 

I think that may be what my mother is hoping to iron out.

The new "wholesaling" that guru's pump hehe Pump Iron, not Sub2 yo.

That all said there will be sellers who could give a rip about their credit and just want out.. but if it was me I would have as iron clad of disclosure agreement signed by your seller as one can possibly get. the Buyer we dont care about the buyer they already know the risks if they lose their money tough luck on them.

Expect the whole can of worms, ungrounded wiring, old panel, cast iron sewer lines, cast iron supply lines, termite damage, roof, etc. 60k went by quick for me and I was doing most of the work.Seeing the comps in the area, pull the permits and make this a 3/2.