They hired an attorney who was skilled at assisting them stay as long as possible. 

If the best you qualify for is alternative financing when the purchasing loan matures you will  likely be treading water barely able to stay a float. 

Being nearby allows you to stay hands-on—you can see, touch, and fully immerse yourself in the process.There’s a lot to learn, not just about managing rentals but also about overseeing property management companies.Handling tenants and maintenance can feel overwhelming at times, but starting with a property close to home gives you the opportunity to gain valuable experience.

I’m open to exploring those locations since they aren’t too far of a drive.I’m leaning towards a SF property because I have $10,000 to put down, want to stay within my budget, and being new to this, I’d like to start small.

I am sorry that the storm that passed through just prior to your stay required emergency roof repairs. 

To get those hours, maybe turn one or two into medium term rentals (you want the average stays to be over 7 days so they don't fall into STR status) which would give her more to do, particularly in the first year of furnishing them and getting everything set up.Alternatively, she maybe she could manage the properties but also get her RE license and try to sell a house or two a year - go to lots of open houses or run them for other agents?

We had hoped to rent our house for short-term or mid-term stays.

Water bills go with owners but it's sewer bills that stay with the property.

I personally would stay away from condo-tels as they will be even worse and you'll have less opportunity to cash flow. 

Encourages Larger Investments: By offering higher returns at higher tiers, you incentivize investors to allocate more capital to your projects.Builds Long-Term Relationships: Investors appreciate being rewarded for deeper commitments, which helps foster trust and repeat business.Scales with Your Business: This structure can align with the complexity or scale of your projects, ensuring that you have the resources you need while staying competitive in the market.Key Benefits to InvestorsSecurity: Deals can be secured by tangible assets, such as a deed of trust or promissory note, providing peace of mind.Flexibility: Payments can be structured to suit the investor’s needs—monthly, quarterly, or upon project completion.Attractive Returns: With returns starting at 15%, investors often see better yields than traditional investment vehicles, like stocks or mutual funds.How We’ve Implemented ThisThis structure works particularly well for our large renovation or development projects where multiple investors may be involved.