To get a genuine home owner sale, assuming the area isn't full of rentals, means spending even more money to make the property attractive enough and you are very unlikely to even break even.So you don't buy turnkey with any exit strategy requiring less than 20 years to achieve in flat markets in my humble opinion.

Why not go with someone who is genuine.

When I was getting started with real estate investing I was obsessed with following the 1% rule, but over the years, I've genuinely found that it's just too simplified.

That was definitely the case several decades ago, but the IRS does know and understand that more and more taxpayers genuinely have the ability to take a home office deduction.  

Another vote for Detroit here, but ultimately it's going to depend on your goals.If you are looking for immediate cash flow, that will drive you to a handful of markets.If you are looking for more of an appreciation play that's gong to change things a lot.You need to know your goals and what you're trying to accomplish.I genuinely believe you can get both cash flow and appreciation in Detroit.

I was just genuinely curious as to how there's so many rentals here that people clearly aren't living in and wondering if there was a process or way that people were able to maintain an STR that wasn't their primary residence.

Genuinely appreciate it! 

I hope this question doesn't convey a snarky tone; I'm genuinely asking.

I am genuinely curious about this.

On the other hand we do everything possible to show we are genuine and ready to close.