I'm probably overthinking this, but is it common practice to provide any kind of cable TV or Netflix etc. in a STR?

Some of those guys made hundreds of millions in a couple three years.

In my case, I have residential rentals in one LLC, commercial properties in another, self storage in a third, and my real estate company operates in a fourth.

Also, in a mainstream asset class like value-added multifamily, I see no reason to take a risk on a sponsor that doesn't have full real estate cycle experience or that lost anything more than a small amount of money (and prefer no money lost).

(Think of it as you are the "bank" in a typical REO transaction). 

If you drive in, there is video of your car and front passengers, the license plate scanner records the license plate number and places it in a spreadsheet that is easy to see how many times the vehicle has driven past the first street camera.   

You can start small in some instances especially in a market like Detroit.

Quote from @Cameron Wells: I'm viewing a STR property in a few days with an option for seller financing.

. :)  I hope to retire in a year and 2 months. 

I personally own/live in a historic home and I can promise you this: it will cost you more - a lot more - to renovate and maintain the property.