The extra $50 for TC's top subscription is 100% worth it.

In my experience, the 2 inch blinds last longer, look way better and are worth the extra $$.

This extra scope of work make it over budget and start eating profits.

You could also airbnb your unit when you are traveling to make extra money

It's easy to obtain, costs very little, and doesn't require extra, on-going effort to maintain.

It's easy to obtain, costs very little, and doesn't require extra, on-going effort to maintain. 

Bump, come on folks, Chris helps alot of people on the forum.

I'm sort of the opposite, especially for folks that are geographically distant to their properties.  

I would need to use it as a STR part of the time to help cover the costs and for tax purposes, but I'm not really looking forward to "operating a STR business" and don't need a lot of extra cash flow (I have W2 job that I truly enjoy). 

I say this let you know - while you absolutely can do it "on your own" these are just a few reasons ( mentioned above ) why folks hire managers - stress free!