Having a good mentor to help you navigate will influence the level of difficulty and how you maneuver so I think it’s highly important.

Assess how your property managers are performing and make a decision on whether you should handle property management yourself or enlist the help of a professional management company.

Envision 10 years  out and your cheap OOS is still performing well meaning it is still producing inflation adjusted cash flow equivalent of a few hundred dollars and has appreciated near the inflation rate (this would be a good performing unit) and compare that to what you would expect a San Diego property to have produced.  

I've seen subs (not in privity) claim that performing minor work, say punch out items requested by a new purchaser such as yourself, extends out the time limit. 

Employee Management: Given the absentee nature of the business, how do you ensure quality staff performance and customer service in your absence?

A good agent experienced in STR's will be able to guide you and advice on which areas perform best.

They would have to do really well for me to be interested in tossing a bunch of cash at glamping and then be staring down the barrel of raw land value in the end.Part of my mantra has always been don't expect appreciation to make up for a poor performing asset.

FWIW I woul suggest that all work performed moving forward is permitted and inspected.

I understand that notes is a business best learned by doing, but I am trying to lay a good foundation of knowledge as a starting point.To date, I have read these books:"Invest like a Bank" by Beaux Blast" Little Green Book of Note Investing" by Fred Moskowitz"Real Estate Note Investing" by Dave Van Horn"Note Investing Made Easier" by Martin Saenz"Invest in Debt" by Jimmy Napier"Profiting from Non-performing Mortgage Notes" by Amed HazelI welcome any thoughts or recommendations that the group may have.   

I almost consider this a cannot miss for out performing the general local market.2) Imperial Beach.