@Josh Calcanis   I think Dallas will have as good a shot as any.  3 fulfillment centers here already. 

I would also check the demand of renting and selling in that area and see if that fulfills your plan or goals. 

I chose this journey, it has not been as fulfilling as I'd hoped but 2021 is still my year.

@Juan Abreu My GUESS is you can buy a new owner occupied property after fulfilling the requirement to live there at lease a year.

This rule is there because they have felt that if you gave up complete control of the property then you may not be able to fulfill your commitment to live in the property "part" of the year.There is NOTHING in the guidelines that restrict you from renting out the property when you are staying there.  

So at this point, I see no reason not to invest in an STR on O'ahu if it fulfills your real estate goals.  

Haven't found much on them and they ignore our requests for references, among other things that would be simple requests to fulfill in building a new relationship. 

I'm sure you'll disagree, but based on your descriptions you're clearly not actually fulfilling the requirements for the OO loan you purchased using.

As long as you fulfill your duties as the buyer, and act ethically, the sellers credit will improve from your timely payments and you have lifted the burden of dealing with the mortgage company from the seller. 

I find out what people need and fulfill it.