@Chris KittleI was not directing it to you but many vendors push elaborate schemes and use fear tactics to sell some of these strategies.  

I believe that fear is the tallest hurdle for the people that never buy a property.

Be sure your lender is comfortable with this, as many fear giving folks primary loans for properties they view as having a high probability of being turned into a purely investment.

Currently I am saving up for the down payment 20% to put down on the houses, I am fearful to take out a loan instead of just saving up the money myself. 

➡️Overcome fear and take consistent action.

I have an STR and previously did not allow pets on our property out of fear that they would destroy it. 

If not I fear you will be caught in a cash flow issue once you have a vacancy. 

We haven't discussed with him any of these issues for fear of his irrational responses. 

The only thing that bests fear is courage and we only need a mustard seed of that to get things going...People often spend money on college and never go in to the field they spent that money on...the greatest lessons and the ones most remembered are learned 'on the job'.Wishing you more good news in the future and an exceptional 2025. 

Fear the issues of tenant nightmares, fantastic because you won't have that with STR.