Partially because you did not rent it for an entire year but mostly because of upfront expenses: getting it ready for rent, buying furniture, electronics, and other furnishings, stocking up on initial supplies, and so on.

Prioritize cleanliness, appealing furniture and decor, being pet friendly, appealing to your market, professional photography, great customer service, and great reviews.

The widowed mother of 2 who needed a way out of her condo and into a new construction home for her and her children for a new start.

I have no children and no debt except my primary mortgage which is very low.  

They may want to buy the furniture or include some of it in the deal. 

I am super relaxed with 2 small children.  

For hardwood, that will take much longer and I'd bet they'd walk on it or move heavy furniture before the top coat is cured and damage it.

Get really nice neighborhoods, and rent to family’s and mothers, that would love to get their children out of those types of environments.

Even if you don’t have children and market to those who don’t have children, good schools are a selling point. 

I think also folks that do the STR have to realize the 35 to 50k spent furnishing the home is what many times makes these negative cash flow and of course over a 10 year run the furniture most likely will need replacing upgrading to keep relevant..