I'm still up in the air.

I’m active duty Air Force and maxed out my VA loan with three properties.Birmingham has some cheaper properties, but may not bring the cash flow that STRs in Florida might bring.It all depends on your timeline, numbers, funds, and comfort level.

Some people are allergic to rabbit hair so I would need to get the air ducts and entire house deep cleaned if the tenant moves out. 

Just my 2 cents you are breath fresh air preach truth finally 1 other intelligent person beside cute blonde from ny. lol

I personally like it when there is a IRS lien scares the uninformed away and much less competition .. it also keeps those that MUST get a HML to pay off the cash they invested as quick as possible..

Like @Alan Asriants and @Matthew Paul said location, location, location, an area during the day and night are very different things in Philadelphia.While the cashflow might be great, the greater the risk the greater the reward, but there are still plenty of other areas where you can get 200-400/month without being near the largest open air drug market on the east coast.

I'd look into Air BnB, VRBO, Furnished Finder, PadSplit, and perhaps even booking.com (I know a lot of STR operators use this, not sure of MTR potential but worth checking out). 

Kudos to her.I do inspections on all of my properties every three months when I go in to change the air filter, check for leaks, and general cleanliness.

I don't know what the ratio is, I'm just pulling that number out of thin air.

A: "Oh, I don't actually live here, I'm just staying here for a few weeks with a friend"A: "The seller just asked me to stay here because people kept breaking in and vandalizing the place, that's why the appliances are gone"A: "I love all the neighborhood pets, but I absolutely hate the business next store because their air conditioner squeals when it runs ALL SUMMER!"