The first thing I want to point out is that it may be wise, in your thinking, to separate the property itself from the STR business that's being run from the property.In the old days (as recent as 10 years ago), people buy a vacation home to enjoy, and they leave it empty when not in use. 

BiggerPockets has already been a great resource, and I’m excited to dive deeper into the real estate world.

I literally travel all over the world for work.

You're leaving out the fact that lease option deals are some of the shadiest deals in the world.

Zillow is the most widely searched real estate website in the world.

. - We always recommend buying your first rental locally if possible and DIY managing to learn as much as possible before investing OOS.2) Lots of crooks and incompetents in the PMC world:( They both cost you money.- As already stated, you'll have a small portfolio.

I have posted other real-world ones in past. 

Using real world not theoretical property. 

The old adage is "marry the property, but date the rate" meaning that if in a few years interest rates are lower you can refinance again into that rate. 5.

Old post.