I have found several with two entrances / split levels and a common laundry space such that I could rent 2-3 BR to another family or 2-3 professionals and earn $1500-2000/mo on a $200-250k purchase while living cheaply in the other 1000 SF of the house and having limited forced interaction with the roommates/tenants. 

Also the outside will need the shrubs to bet cut, a good power washing, etc.  

So I literally power washed the carpets along with a wet or dry vacuum to get the mud out and re-rented the house.

When I asked my TN guy, he didn't know which one of our houses it was. He

Many STR bull markets are now equilibrating however the run up in home prices with valuations based on old STR projections/interest rates yet to wash out.

Every year my mom tells me how high her home owners insurance is and it goes up every year.Having lived through Hugo, I am nervous about buying anything ocean front, seeing so much wash way must have left an impression on my young mind.Definitely agree with you about having a good realtor to navigate the landscape.

"My offer was better because I only wanted this and it was quicker or he should have taken mine because nobody pays 2K to paint a parking block and mine was clearly better (even if he just wanted to wash his hands of the property).Good luck in your investing!

Just an update on Citrona, Paul has fled back to Panama and the arsonist who burned down a potential laundry mat is in jail.

Meanwhile the conversations my mother had the most of was with the dryer or washing machine or real intelligent ones with us kids..

We built the bosses sister a 3500 square foot home. 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 baths, cavernous kitchen/dining/living room with 25' cathedral ceiling, massive laundry room, massive entry, office, gym, multiple pantries and closets, 2 car garage with 2nd floor game room.