There is a book in the BP bookstore that speaks specifically about short-term rentals.

That is part of your return and you have to account for it.Since the beginning of time middle people have basically exploited inefficiencies in the market but eventually get eliminated or their role is drastically reduced: travel agents, stock brokers, floor traders, money changers, banks with tellers, cashiers, book stores, etc...

Multifamily Millionaire Book Bundle – BiggerPockets Bookstore

Check out my book in the BiggerPockets bookstore - Lend to Live: Earn Hassle-free Passive Income in Real Estate with Private Money Lending.

It's in the BP bookstore and a comprehensive guide to finding and funding a private money loan safely and secured by real estate.

The first question is of course, can you get a loan with less than 20% down - but I'll assume you can given that you're exploring both options.I recently read Real Estate by the Numbers by J Scott & Dave Meyer (shameless plug it's available through the BP bookstore here) and in chapter 36 they discuss exactly this - that in some cases using more leverage can actually boost your returns and you should run the numbers both ways to see what makes sense for you.

If you haven't already done so, you can pick up a copy of my book Lend to Live: Earn Hassle-Free Passive Income in Real Estate with Private Money Lending off the BiggerPockets bookstore.

Shameless plug but I would say read some of our BiggerPockets books in the bookstore.

It's available on the BiggerPockets bookstore and helps explain how to fund the loan properly and legally.

Pick up a copy of 30 Day Stay by Sarah Weaver and Zeona McIntyre from the BP bookstore.