But anyways, I have a stretch where I’ll be gone for several months - mid July through mid October, possibly stretching to the end of the year, and I’m wondering if anyone has any ideas beyond just a normal rental - traveling nurse, etc. that might be good in Nashville. 

It normally takes 5+ years of rent increases before you feel like you are doing ok. 

The ability to find a good sales price under $200K with low taxes and affordable insurance is getting harder to find but in Oh & IN its still easy.Inventory is strong and the rents are above normal so even though your under $200K you can still earn a good profit.

A good one will also have skin in the game and will even be able to bring new acquisitions to your attention.

Oregon and WA made foreclosure rescue lease backs totally illegal.We did not have a problem on the lease back we did have to evict many within the first year but it was a normal eviction and we had enough juice in the deal to make it work. 

Should anything happen down the road, you don't want them telling you that normal homeowners insurance doesn't cover STR.

I don’t mind having skin in the game either, but I know using private money is key to scaling one day and would like to get some experience with it now, even if it doesn’t fund a majority of the deal. 

I normally have one piece of advice for people just getting started, do not take on too much risk.  

The DST is losing $ due to upkeep costs (foundation, HVAC, normal repairs, etc.).

Just because you want to hit a specific number doesn't mean the market will meet you there.Great example of how Class C properties may appear like great cash flowing investments on paper - meaning fully rented, paying on time and normal levels of maintenance.