It's an asset that will continue to grow as more and more people and institutions begin to adopt it as a safer hedge against inflation than precious metals. 

Continue to learn and save right now.

Lock-out, should they continue to not come even, would be typically less than 14-days.Unless the tenant comes even with the rent (which would result in dismissal of the non-payment of the case), there is generally limited defense to this process.

Post Dodd Frank sellers have continued the same bad practice of selling houses to occupants with financing at selling prices that are way high, can't be justified via any type of 3rd party valuation (appraisal, zestimate, tax value, even recent sales in the same area).   

If you are going to continue buying, you really want a lifelong mortgage advisor in your corner who will help structure loans in your best interest.

Unless you want to continue having negative cashflow, you pretty much have to raise rents.

While no one can predict what the market will do in the future since I have started purchasing long term rentals rents have only gone up which has allowed my cashflow to continue to grow. 

I launched our property management operations in Texas with already established company processes and continued to build and iterate with time.

Has appreciated a ton over the past few years, and will continue to do so!

Quote from @Mike Grudzien: Two thoughts:1) stay in your STR for a day or two and you'll discover things it needs or that would be nice to add2) use several touch-points to communicate with Travelers/Guests.