I considered Gatlinburg a few times because I really like it there and it has year round vacationers but I cannot make the numbers work because the nightly rate is too cheap and there is too much competition, also it is on fire right now so good I avoided it. 

We used to do Spring checkups but twice we have had repairs a month later, bearings out in a fan motor and a compressor went out while we were on vacation. Ants

Keep fees reasonable, manage the place well, help advertise to potential vacationers.

Would it make sense for you to try to appeal to summertime vacationers by seeking out a property near a lake with water sports?

This is a major bummer for many investors and vacationers alike.As a Bay Area resident who frequently visits the Tahoe area I can assure you I am taking my tourism dollars to North Lake and other surrounding areas.

I know that short term rental platforms have made it possible for people to afford a home - a small multi family building, like a duplex, while living in one unit and renting another to vacationers. 

Sometimes I get more interaction from my LTR tenants than my vacationers.

How do people find places that they rent by the week for vacationers? 

I'm just not sure if vacationers would want to do both.

I'm thinking a single family home to cater to amusment park and beach vacationers with a VRBO, or a multi- family rental.