I get quicker responses, guidance, relationship building, more trust, and overall feel like their quality is a lot better in terms of inventory/customer service.

Take for example the lack of productivity where construction projects often experience time and cost overruns, rework or quality concerns. 

You haven't given many details so it's difficult to give you a quality answer for your situation.

If you ask nicely and promise not to share, you can usually get good financial information on the properties that are currently operating as a STR.If you're just starting out looking, you may not be aware of just how many cabins out there are poor quality builds due to the lack of codes.

That could mean poor tenant quality, which could lead to them not paying or eviction.

Buy good quality things once rather than poor quality and pay multiple times to replace it.

The best way to estimate expenses is experience and knowledge of your specific asset type and market.For vacancy, that will depend on your market and the quality/desirability of your type of unit.

Meanwhile the  neighbors quality of life will improve once the new wall is constructed 2025 Q1 and the denser use is consistent with the Philadelphia planning commission's 2035 plan.

Not that that means anything good or bad :-) But if you want high quality genuine coaching about investing in Philly and at a reasonable rate, I can  connect you with a wonderfully savvy, professional investor who does coaching.

Buy quality, if that means every 2-4 years not annually so be it.