@Chrissy Smyth, just a couple comments:1.

Within a year of the higher rent more than covered both the damages and lost rent...in both cases. 

Although in the last couple deals most have come out as 506C deals where only accredited investors are allowed, there are still 506B syndications where you can be a sophisticated investor (self proclaimed) so you don't have to be accredited.

I think the podcast lost its DIY element.

., to be honest, if you can't simply explain it in a post, you have already lost a vast majority of investors.  

Got lucky and lost less than 10k on it.

The committees have never said they'll require a specific form of evidence to show that you've rented the place for at least a couple of nights.

Quote from @Luke Tetreault: My Fiancé and I will be wrapping up our 2nd year of investing part time in the next couple of months.

But if you do want to invest out of state where cash flow is higher, I think it's worth narrowing down where you think the best markets are and then find a way to take a trip for a couple days or so. 

Fortunately, the seller was cooperative and patient, and we only lost about two weeks in the process.